Understanding how this "Solar Engine" works

[lud]

Hi,
First of all this is not a spam ._., second I want to build this for my friend and I don't understand the physics behind it or how I will build it, how does the magnet interact with the copper thing? How does the physics work here, if anyone can guide me through it, or point me to relevant materials so I can do it myself, that would be helpful thank you

Uplift 2 Ocean

Drift away as you gaze upon this sun-powered, aquamarine spiralling sculpture, beautifully re-manufactured from waste fishing nets. Uplift 2.0 creates a mesmerising, never-ending spiral that inspires you to unwind, as it gracefully turns the sun's power into a hypnotic flowing motion. The...

beuplifted.co.uk

 

[rjenkinsgb]

It has a solar cell for power (photovoltaic or "PV" cell) for power.
The motor uses a solenoid type coil and I'd guess a hall effect sensor controlling a transistor, so it can give a brief current pulse just as one of the magnets sticking out from the rotor gets to the best position near the coil pole to give it a kick around.

The loose magnet with the machine could be used to pull the rotor around initially, to set it moving.

 

[Diver300]

It could be using the coil to pick up the voltage induced by the magnet, and then apply a current pulse to the same coil. I think that would take less current to run than a Hall sensor.

 

[lud]

Diver300 , what does that mean? I did not quite understand it.
Thanks rjenkinsgb , very helpful, I will try making something similar and look up what a hall sensor is.

 

[Diver300]

To power the rotating part, there will probably be a stationary coil and a magnet in the rotating part. A pulse of current in the coil will put a force on the magnet. If that pulse happens at the correct time, the force will accelerate the rotating part.

Some sensor is needed so that the electronics that produces the pulse know when the correct time is. rjenkinsgb suggested that it might be a Hall sensor, which it could be.

The magnet will cause a voltage to be induced in the coil as the rotating part brings the magnet past the coil. That is how generators work. My suggestion was that, although there will only be a tiny voltage when that happens, a suitable circuit could detect the voltage generated in the coil and use that to know when the pulse should be triggered.

 

[lud]

Thanks Diver300 , I will try it out.

 

[lud]

Diver300 , I found another video, where it seems like the copper part is also rotating.

Uplift 2.0 Unboxing

This is "Uplift 2.0 Unboxing" by Tom Lawton on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

vimeo.com

At 00:38, the copper things looks like it is rotating.

Nevermind it isn't

 

[rjenkinsgb]

This is an example that works on the principle Diver mentioned, using pickup from the same coil:

Nuts and Volts - August 2012 - page32

Nuts & Volts is written for the hands-on hobbyist, design engineer, technician, and experimenter. The diversity of subjects appeals to all levels of

nutsvolts.texterity.com

Physically it's a different layout, but the rotating magnets style device should work with exactly the same circuit - it gives a "kick" each time a magnet passes it, it does not know or care how they are supported.

 

[lud]

Thank you very much rjenkinsgb , Diver300 for your help