The Solar Powered Mendocino Motor

Magnetically Levitated Motor

The Mendocino Motor

The Mendocino motor is a solar powered magnetically levitated motor.

The motor base consists of five sets of magnets. Four magnets in the base are levitation magnets which provides levitation force against the shaft magnets. The fifth magnet, is a field magnet which provides the magnetic field for the rotor. The back plate has a piece of glass as a bearing plate.

The rotor consists of a shaft with a point on one end, magnets and rotor block. On the rotor block, there are four solar cells; one cell on each of the four sides and two sets of windings.

How it works. The rotor is levitated by the repelling force between the shaft magnets and the levitation magnets on the base. The levitation magnet also provides a forward thrust to keep the shaft point against the bearing plate.
When the light strikes one of the solar cells, it generates an electric current thus energizing one of the rotor windings. This produce an electromagnetic field which interacts with the field magnets in the base, causing the rotor to turn. As the rotor rotates, the next solar cell comes in position, This cell now energizes the second winding. The process repeats again.

If you would like to build the Mendocino Motor. Construction plans for this project is available. Easy, step-by-step instructions, also list all materials needed to build this motor. Some machining is required.

Mendocino Motor plans $17.50. postpaid

Have a question about the Mendocino Motor Plans? Send me an Email

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