Magnetohydrodynamic Drive

[Zanshin]

I've been reading up on this fascinating drive type, which has no moving parts and uses magnets (well, superconducting magnets) and the electrical conductivity of seawater to create propulsion. The only well-known prototype in Japan managed 15 km/H in the early 1990s.

Since then great advances have been made with high-temperature (room temps) superconductivity, so perhaps that type of a drive, which only needs electricity to run, might be a future replacement for our beloved internal diesel engine.

Yamato 1 - Magnetohydrodynamic drive ship

[buckeyesailor]

well.......having poured over that entire manual my only question is?........
What colors does it come in?

but seriously....it's interesting to say the least. I don't suppose there were any mentions of CO$T anywhere?

I've been reading a lot about Diesel Electric motors and I suspect they have a very real future in Sailboats as soon as the price comes down below that of a new sports car......

Thanks for the heads up........

[US27inKS]

Isn't that the same type of drive that the russian sub in Hunt for Red October used? The movie was fiction of course, but it looked like the same kind of rig.

[artbyjody]

One can do a search on DIY alternative energy boards / sites... its not efficient actually - does provide a co-efficient that reduces hard surface friction - but energy to levitate (which is what the Japanese train uses)... alot of energy used to create and sustain the energy field....

Its not a magic energy kinda deal as its takes as much energy to excite it as it it consumes...

[2Gringos]

Originally Posted by artbyjody

Its not a magic energy kinda deal as its takes as much energy to excite it as it it consumes...

You been talking to one of my ex-wives havent ya...


seriously, why would this be competitive with something like the Solomon electric drives (did I get the name right?) with a small diesel electric genny, solar, wind, and batteries? It seems to me that the need for better batteries is the only thing holding that whole concept back.

Admittedly I have not been looking into how those boats are doing for over a year now since we got sidetracked building a house. How ARE they doing? The "green" electric catamarans?

[artbyjody]

Originally Posted by 2Gringos

You been talking to one of my ex-wives havent ya...

Your exes are kinda hot...

[Idiens]

For a sail boat it's more interesting to reverse the MHD process and use it to generate electricity from the hull's motion through the water. It might even give the solar stick a run for its money. Pity about needing that super cooled stuff on board, refrigeration consuming power like it does.

[sailingdog]

Buckeye-

If you have to ask about pricing.... you clearly can't afford it.

[chucklesR]

I think in another thread I brought up the concept of a Stirling Engine being used to power a boat.
Stirling engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Something that had a temp probe in the water and worked off the difference of the temp of the air could generate a low level of electricity. Solar is more efficient due to friction (currently).

Someday, a pump working off of the hydraulic action of a rod rising and falling on waves between the hull of a catamaran will provide power, or at a minimum be used to make fresh water. Somebody patent that and send me my share please.
Ideas I got, ideas are easy.

[buckeyesailor]

you're right, Sailingdog.....I Can't afford it......I shouldn't have asked.....

Chuck......I think right now there is a Japanese guy on his way to Hawaii with some sort of wave energy generator thingy.......I read about it in one of several Sailing mags I get......
maybe he stole your idea.......if I were you, I'd meet him in Hawaii and demand my cut of the booty.......