Difference between revisions of "Steorn"

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[[image:Orbo2.jpg|Orbo model|thumb]]
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[[image:Orbo2.jpg|Orbo-Modell|thumb]]
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[[image:Steorn economist.jpg|Steorn advertisement in ''The economist''|300px|thumb]]
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[[image:Steorn economist.jpg|Advertisement of Steorn in ''The economist''|300px|thumb]]
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'''Steorn Ltd.''' is a Dublin-based Irish company claiming to have built a [[Perpetual Motion|perpetual motion]] device called "Orbo" which, contrary to the laws of physics, is said to be able to produce infinite energy.  
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'''Steorn Ltd.''' is an Irish company based in Dublin claiming to have build a [[Perpetual Motion]] device called "Orbo" which, violating fundamental principles of physics, is supposed to create limitless energy.
 
  
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In August 2006 Steorn placed a large scale advertisement receiving wide attention in the English newspaper "The Economist"<ref>The Economist, August&nbsp;19, 2006</ref> claiming to be able to provide "free, clean and constant energy".<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20070502192300rn_1/www.steorn.com/orbo/claim/ Archive page of the Orbo claim]</ref> The scientific community was challenged to investigate the technology and report the findings to the world. According to the advertisement price list of the newspaper they spent about 125.000&nbsp;Euro (£&nbsp;85.200) on that ad.  
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In August 2006, Steorn raised attention with a widely noticed large scale advertisement placed in the English newspaper "The Economist"<ref>The Economist, August&nbsp;19, 2006</ref>. The ad claimed Steorn had developed a technology able to provide „free, clean and constant energy“<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20070502192300rn_1/www.steorn.com/orbo/claim/ Archive page of the Orbo claim]</ref> and were now asking scientists to investigate this technology and report results. According to the Economist's price list for advertisements, they spent about 125.000&nbsp;Euro (£&nbsp;85.200) on that ad.  
  
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Several tries to show a functioning Orbo-PM to the public failed. A group of scientists which were allowed to test the device could not find evidence that it could create "energy for nothing".<ref name="gizmo">[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0624/1224249416758.html Irish 'energy for nothing' gizmo fails jury vetting], Irish Times Wed 06 Jun 2009</ref>
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Several attempts to present a functioning Orbo-PM to the public failed. A group of scientists allowed to take a look at the device could not find evidence it was able to generate "energy from nothing".<ref name="gizmo">[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0624/1224249416758.html Irish 'energy for nothing' gizmo fails jury vetting], Irish Times Wed 06 Jun 2009</ref>
  
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An allegedly working Orbo unit constructed of clear plastic was shown on 15.&nbsp;Dezember 2009 in Dublin (Waterways Centre Building) and a video stream of the running device published on the website.<ref>[http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/emerging-tech/2009/12/15/steorn-shows-revolving-orbo-to-the-public-39938307/ Steorn shows revolving Orbo to the public ], ZDNet, 15 December, 2009</ref> The claims of the company Steorn about the "Orbo"-Technology violate the first law of thermodynamics, that energy in an isolated system stays the same and can neither be destroyed nor created. It can only change forms.<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/08/19/1155408071307.html Irish energy miracle 'a joke']TheAge, August 20, 2006</ref>
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On December 15, 2009, an allegedly working Orbo model was presented in Dublin (Waterways Centre Building). Steorn's website published video streams meant to demonstrate the device was revolving constantly.<ref>[http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/emerging-tech/2009/12/15/steorn-shows-revolving-orbo-to-the-public-39938307/ Steorn shows revolving Orbo to the public ], ZDNet, 15 December, 2009</ref>  
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Steorn's claims regarding their „Orbo technologies“ contradict the first law of thermodynamics saying that energy will neither be generated nor used up in a closed system, but may only be transformed into another form of energy.<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/08/19/1155408071307.html Irish energy miracle 'a joke']TheAge, August 20, 2006</ref>
  
 
==Orbo==
 
==Orbo==
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[[image:Orbo.jpg|Orbo-technology(Bild:Steorn-Video)|300px|thumb]]
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[[image:Orbo.jpg|Orbo technology(image:Steorn Video)|300px|thumb]]
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The wonder-technology from Steorn called "Steorn Orbo Technology" is based on a fictitious "time variant magneto-mechanical interaction"<ref>[http://techcrunch.com/2007/07/04/laws-of-physics-apparently-being-rewritten/ Laws of Physics Apparently Being Rewritten Today], Tech Crunch Jul 4, 2007 </ref> and said to be able to provide "clean energy" for mobile sound systems and cars. It is claimed to be a so called "overunity technology", which means that it can create more energy than it consumes. Orbo is a registered brand.
+
The miracle technology called "Steorn Orbo Technology" is said to base on a fictitious "time variant magneto-mechanical interaction"<ref>[http://techcrunch.com/2007/07/04/laws-of-physics-apparently-being-rewritten/ Laws of Physics Apparently Being Rewritten Today], Tech Crunch Jul 4, 2007 </ref> and allegedly is able to provide "clean energy" for mobile sound systems and cars. It is claimed to be a so-called "overunity technology", which means it will generate more energy than its operation requires. Orbo is a registered brand.
  
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Older publications of Steorn purported that energy was created using time variant magnetic viscosity, an effect that only Steorn has understood. According to Steorn converging magnets fast uses less energy than pulling them apart slowly because the magnets would not have enough time to readjust their magnetic domains.
+
In previous publications, Steorn affirmed they were able to generate energy by applying a time-dependent, magnetic viscosity, an effect only understood by Steorn as it were. According to Steorn, the fast convergence of two magnets used less energy than slowly pulling them apart later on, because the magnets thus did not have sufficient time to readjust their magnetic domains.
  
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The eOrbo device that was shown in Dublin is said to draw pulse-shaped electric current from a little battery and form it to a magnetic field using small inductors which affect the attraction of the rotating permanent magnets in the following ways: During convergence they maximize the attracting powers and during parting they minimize it. Such a "Broken Symmetry" hypothesis had been formulated by a [[Thomas E. Bearden|Tom Bearden]] years before..<ref>http://www.cheniere.org/references/brokensymmetry.htm</ref> The right moment to pulse power is said to be determined by a Reed relay. The rotation of the magnets should induce current in conductors (according to Faraday's law of induction) which should charge the battery after rectification. The engine output is ostensibly higher than the consumption (''overunity'') and it is therefore unnecessary to ever replace the battery.
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The eOrbo device presented in Dublin is said to draw pulsated electric current from a little battery and generate a magnetic field using small inductors which affect the attraction of rotating permanent magnets in different ways: During convergence attracting forces will maximize, while they will decrease during the phase of removal. A ''broken symmetry'' hypothesis had been drafted by one [[Thomas E. Bearden|Tom Bearden]] previously.<ref>http://www.cheniere.org/references/brokensymmetry.htm</ref> The right moment to feed energy is said to be determined by a Reed contact. The rotation of permanent magnets at the same time will induce current in further conductors (according to Faraday's law of induction) which was said to be sufficient to charge the battery after rectification. The electric power output at the same time was said to be higher (''overunity'') than that necessary for operation, so that a change of battery was redundant.
  
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==Demonstrations==
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==Presentations==
 
[[image:Steorn Demo.jpg|thumb]]
 
[[image:Steorn Demo.jpg|thumb]]
 
[[image:Steorn9.jpg|300px|thumb]]
 
[[image:Steorn9.jpg|300px|thumb]]
 
[[image:steorn4.jpg|Offline|thumb]]
 
[[image:steorn4.jpg|Offline|thumb]]
  
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On 4 July 2007 an Orbo-unit was prepared to be shown at the Kinetica Museum, Spitalfields Market, London. The public demonstration was delayed and then cancelled because of technical difficulties. Steorn initially declared that the heat from the spotlights had interfered with the device but later changed it's comment.<ref>[http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/irish-firms-display-of-freeenergy-machine-delayed-13456059.html Irish firm's display of 'free-energy' machine delayed], Belfast Telegraph, 5 July 2007</ref> They declared later that the problems were cause by a "greenhouse effect within the box.<ref>[http://www.nasw.org/users/schirber/bibliography/pdfs/PWAug07_steorn.pdf Harsh light shines on free energy], Physics World August 2007</ref><ref>[http://mashable.com/2009/07/15/internet-hoaxes/ Top 15 Web Hoaxes of All Time], July 15, 2009 by Josh Catone</ref>
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On July 4,  2007 an Orbo-unit was meant to be presented at London Kinetica Museum (Spitalfields Market). The public demonstration was postponed due to technical problems and eventually canceled. Steorn initially stated that heat emitted by spotlights had interfered with the device.<ref>[http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/irish-firms-display-of-freeenergy-machine-delayed-13456059.html Irish firm's display of 'free-energy' machine delayed], Belfast Telegraph, 5 July 2007</ref> Later on they claimed the development of a „greenhouse effect“ within the model.<ref>[http://www.nasw.org/users/schirber/bibliography/pdfs/PWAug07_steorn.pdf Harsh light shines on free energy], Physics World August 2007</ref><ref>[http://mashable.com/2009/07/15/internet-hoaxes/ Top 15 Web Hoaxes of All Time], July 15, 2009 by Josh Catone</ref>
  
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On 15 December 2009 another demonstration was scheduled and promoted through postings and video streams. The device was shown at the ''Waterways Visitor Centre'', Dublin and three video streams were shown in the Internet (Links: [http://www.steorn.com/iframe-vid11.html] [http://www.steorn.com/iframe-vid12.html] [http://www.steorn.com/iframe-vid13.html]). The streams were interrupted several times. Also, cleaners moved the demonstration boxes out of sight to clean the area.
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Another demonstration scheduled for December 15, 2009 had been promoted in communications and video streams. The device was displayed at Dublin ''Waterways Visitor Centre'', and three video streams were shown in the Internet (Links: [http://www.steorn.com/iframe-vid11.html] [http://www.steorn.com/iframe-vid12.html] [http://www.steorn.com/iframe-vid13.html]). The streams were interrupted several times. Also, cleaning personnel moved the demonstration engines out of sight to return them after completing cleaning operations.
  
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The Orbo device was powered with a small rechargeable battery, which was supposed to be recharged through the running model and would never become dead. Steorn claimed that the "Orbo 2009" model produces three times the energy it consumes. Surplus energy was said to evaporate as heat. The energy is said to come from the magnets (''Orbo is a technology that creates energy from magnetic interactions.'').<ref>[http://www.steorn.com/orbo/what/ What is Orbo?], Steorn Website, retrieved 9 March 2011</ref> The demonstration was scheduled to last six weeks, with a break from 24&nbsp;December to 4.&nbsp;January 2010. No measuring instruments which might have shown input or output of the device can be seen. According to Steorn giving a precise energy balance was not possible due to the "complexity" of the simple engine. Since the whole device might have been powered by the shown rechargeable battery (1,2&nbsp;Volt/10&nbsp;Ah) the demonstration is no proof for the claims of Steorn. An independent examination of the device could provide such a proof. Voltage and amperage of the battery would have to be monitored to calculate the energy balance of the system. Using a capacitor instead of the rechargeable 10&nbsp;Ah-battery was no option according to Steorn. They claim: ''Capacitors have a delay in delivering current''.<ref>Comment by Steorn-CEO Sean McCarthy</ref> Capacitors are actually able to provide current without delay.
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The device was powered by a small rechargeable battery which was supposed to be recharged by operation and thus never discharge. Steorn even claimed the "Orbo 2009" model produced three times the energy it consumed. Surplus energy was said to be released as heat. The operating power was said to come from the magnets used (''Orbo is a technology that creates energy from magnetic interactions.'').<ref>[http://www.steorn.com/orbo/what/ What is Orbo?], Steorn Website, accessed March 9, 2011</ref> The demonstration was scheduled to last six weeks, with a break between December&nbsp;24 and 4.&nbsp;January&nbsp;4, 2010. There are no instruments registering outputs or inputs of electrical current visible in the videos.
 +
According to Steorn, giving a precise energy balance was not possible due to the "complexity" of the simple engine. Since it may not be excluded that the device was  operated exclusively by the rechargable battery (1.2&nbsp;Volt/10&nbsp;Ah), the demonstration is not appropriate to prove Steorn's claims. Further information may be obtained only by an independent examination which e.g. monitored charging voltage and charging current of the battery (or of a large capacitor) over a longer period of time in order to establish the system's energy balance. According to Steorn, they were not prepared to consider the use of a capacitor as a buffer store instead of the rechargeable 10&nbsp;Ah battery, since capacitors allegedly had „a delay in delivering current“.<ref>Comment by Steorn-CEO Sean McCarthy</ref> In fact, capacitors are able to provide current without any delay.
  
 
==Tests==
 
==Tests==
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A group of scientists were chosen by Steorn for a jury to investigate the Orbo technology. It was headed by Ian MacDonald, emeritus professor of electrical engineering at the University of Alberta. In 2009 they came to the unanimous verdict that Steorn's attempts to demonstrate the claim have not shown the production of energy. <ref>''In August 2006 the Irish company Steorn published an advertisement in the Economist announcing the development of "a technology that produces free, clean and constant energy". Qualified experts were sought to form a "jury" to validate these claims. Twenty-two independent scientists and engineers were selected by Steorn to form this jury. It has for the past two years examined evidence presented by the company. The unanimous verdict of the Jury is that Steorn's attempts to demonstrate the claim have not shown the production of energy. The jury is therefore ceasing work. The jury consists of scientists and engineers in relevant fields from Europe and North America, from industry, universities and government laboratories. Information about individual members can be found at http://stjury.ning.com/</ref><ref name="gizmo" /> The members of the jury had to sign a nondisclosure agreement.
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Steorn selected a group of scientists forming a jury who were allowed to investigate the Orbo technology. It was headed by Ian MacDonald, professor emeritus of electrical engineering at the University of Alberta. In June 2009, they came to the unanimous verdict that Steorn had not been able to present evidence they in fact „produced“ energy as claimed.<ref>''In August 2006 the Irish company Steorn published an advertisement in the Economist announcing the development of "a technology that produces free, clean and constant energy". Qualified experts were sought to form a "jury" to validate these claims. Twenty-two independent scientists and engineers were selected by Steorn to form this jury. It has for the past two years examined evidence presented by the company. The unanimous verdict of the Jury is that Steorn's attempts to demonstrate the claim have not shown the production of energy. The jury is therefore ceasing work. The jury consists of scientists and engineers in relevant fields from Europe and North America, from industry, universities and government laboratories. Information about individual members can be found at http://stjury.ning.com/</ref><ref name="gizmo" /> Members of the jury had to sign an agreement of nondisclosure.
  
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==Public Reception / Reaction==
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==Public Reception and Reactions==
 
The advertisement in ''The Economist'' and the claims of Steorn received an echo in newspapers and blogs of several countries. Articles in scientific papers do not exist (March 2011).
 
The advertisement in ''The Economist'' and the claims of Steorn received an echo in newspapers and blogs of several countries. Articles in scientific papers do not exist (March 2011).
  
 
==Steorn Ltd.==
 
==Steorn Ltd.==
 
[[image:SeanMcCarthy.jpg|Sean McCarthy|thumb]]
 
[[image:SeanMcCarthy.jpg|Sean McCarthy|thumb]]
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Steorn Ltd. was founded 2000 in Dublin and is owned by the Irish-born Sean McCarthy (sometimes "Shaun David McCarthy"). Steorn calls itself a "leading Intellectual Property development company". In the past Steorn was actually a "dot-com company" in the Internet business and provided expertise to detect forgery and fraud with cash cards and optical data storage devices. In October 2001 Steorn changed its description to "specialist service company providing programme<!-- sic ??? --> management and technical assessment advice for European companies engaging in e-commerce projects". Steorn seemed to work on the development of micro generators, which can harvest tiny amounts of energy from movement, e.g. for watches without battery. Later a USB-Echosensor for measurement of magnetic fields and a "Magnetic Torque Measurement System" (to measure pure torque of permanent magnets) were developed and sold.
+
Steorn Ltd. was founded in Dublin in 2000 and is owned by Irishman Sean McCarthy (sometimes "Shaun David McCarthy"). As its business segment, Steorn claims to be a "leading Intellectual Property development company". In the past Steorn in fact operated as  a "dot-com" in Internet business and provided expertise to prevent forgery and fraudulent use of cash cards and optical data storage devices. In October 2001, Steorn announced it was a "specialist service company providing programme  management and technical assessment advice for European companies engaging in e-commerce projects". Steorn seemed to work at the development of micro generators which can harvest tiny amounts of energy from movement, e.g. for watches without battery. Later an USB Echosensor for measuring magnetic fields and a "Magnetic Torque Measurement System" (to measure pure torque of permanent magnets) were developed and marketed.
 +
 
 +
In 2006 Steorn allegedly earned 2,5&nbsp;Million Euro through investors. Overall, Steorn is said to have received more than 8&nbsp;Million Euro from investors, issueing company shares in return. Critics accused Steorn of only being a clever marketing company which employed claims to attract interest in order to win future customers.
  
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In 2006 is said to have earned 2,5&nbsp;Million Euro through investors. Collectively Steorn is said to have gotten more than 8&nbsp;Million Euro from investors which got company shares. Critics object that Steorn is just a clever marketing company which draws interest on itself through claims to win customers.
+
Sean McCarthy resigned as secretary(director) of Steorn on Februar 14, 2011, the new board of directory consists of the main investors representing over 10 million in Steorn investments. A new company "The Steorn Orbo Trust" was founded on March 2, 2011 and officially registered on March 28.<ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/52869096/Steorn-B10-20110411 Resignation of McCarthy and new board of directors], Scan of papers</ref>
  
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A patent for the Orbo technology was allegedly submitted by Steorn, but not granted to date(March 2011). Steorn does own several patents on magnetic measurement devices.<ref>[http://v3.espacenet.com/searchResults?bookmarkedResults=true&submitted=true&DB=EPODOC&sf=q&&IA=steorn Steorn search in patent database]</ref>
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A patent for the Orbo technology was allegedly submitted by Steorn, but not granted to date (March 2011). Steorn does own several patents on magnetic measurement devices:<ref>[http://v3.espacenet.com/searchResults?bookmarkedResults=true&submitted=true&DB=EPODOC&sf=q&&IA=steorn Steorn search in patent database]</ref>
  
 
*PASSIVE MAGNETIC BEARING. Inventor:  MCCARTHY SEAN [IE] ; FLANAGAN SEAMUS [IE]. Applicant:  STEORN LTD [IE]. EC: F16C19/10; F16C32/04; IPC:  H02K7/09. US2011001379 (A1) - 2011-01-06
 
*PASSIVE MAGNETIC BEARING. Inventor:  MCCARTHY SEAN [IE] ; FLANAGAN SEAMUS [IE]. Applicant:  STEORN LTD [IE]. EC: F16C19/10; F16C32/04; IPC:  H02K7/09. US2011001379 (A1) - 2011-01-06
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==News items==
 
==News items==
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*[http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/mensch/0,1518,492838,00.html Christian Stöcker: ''Iren wollen Perpetuum Mobile vorführen'', Der Spiegel 6.&nbsp;Juli 2007]
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*[http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/mensch/0,1518,492838,00.html Christian Stöcker: ''Iren wollen Perpetuum Mobile vorführen''], "Der Spiegel" July 6, 2007
−
*[http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2006/aug/25/ethicalliving.renewableenergy Steve Boggan: ''These men think they're about to change the world'', The Guardian, 25.&nbsp;August 2006]
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*[http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2006/aug/25/ethicalliving.renewableenergy Steve Boggan: ''These men think they're about to change the world''], The Guardian, August 25, 2006
−
*[http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2006/05/21/story14326.asp Gavin Daly: ''Firm strives to extend mobile battery lifespans'', The Post (Irland), 21.&nbsp;Mai 2006]
+
*[http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2006/05/21/story14326.asp Gavin Daly: ''Firm strives to extend mobile battery lifespans''], The Post (Irland), May 21, 2006  
−
*''Mouvement perpétuel chez Steorn'', Artikel in [[NEXUS Magazin|NEXUS]] (Französische Version), Heft Nr. 49, März-April 2007
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*''Mouvement perpétuel chez Steorn'', Article in [[NEXUS Magazine]] (French), Issue Nr. 49, March-April 2007
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*[http://www.volksblatt.li/Default.aspx?newsid=38023&src=vb&region=li Artikel in Liechtensteiner Volksblatt zu Vorführungen 2009/2010]
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*[http://www.volksblatt.li/Default.aspx?newsid=38023&src=vb&region=li Article in Liechtensteiner Volksblatt about the demonstration 2009/2010]
  
 
==Weblinks==
 
==Weblinks==
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[[category:Free Energy]]
 
[[category:Free Energy]]
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[[category:Company]]

Latest revision as of 20:07, 22 July 2011

Orbo model
Steorn advertisement in The economist

Steorn Ltd. is a Dublin-based Irish company claiming to have built a perpetual motion device called "Orbo" which, contrary to the laws of physics, is said to be able to produce infinite energy.

In August 2006, Steorn raised attention with a widely noticed large scale advertisement placed in the English newspaper "The Economist"[1]. The ad claimed Steorn had developed a technology able to provide „free, clean and constant energy“[2] and were now asking scientists to investigate this technology and report results. According to the Economist's price list for advertisements, they spent about 125.000 Euro (£ 85.200) on that ad.

Several attempts to present a functioning Orbo-PM to the public failed. A group of scientists allowed to take a look at the device could not find evidence it was able to generate "energy from nothing".[3]

On December 15, 2009, an allegedly working Orbo model was presented in Dublin (Waterways Centre Building). Steorn's website published video streams meant to demonstrate the device was revolving constantly.[4]

Steorn's claims regarding their „Orbo technologies“ contradict the first law of thermodynamics saying that energy will neither be generated nor used up in a closed system, but may only be transformed into another form of energy.[5]

Orbo

Orbo technology(image:Steorn Video)

The miracle technology called "Steorn Orbo Technology" is said to base on a fictitious "time variant magneto-mechanical interaction"[6] and allegedly is able to provide "clean energy" for mobile sound systems and cars. It is claimed to be a so-called "overunity technology", which means it will generate more energy than its operation requires. Orbo is a registered brand.

In previous publications, Steorn affirmed they were able to generate energy by applying a time-dependent, magnetic viscosity, an effect only understood by Steorn as it were. According to Steorn, the fast convergence of two magnets used less energy than slowly pulling them apart later on, because the magnets thus did not have sufficient time to readjust their magnetic domains.

The eOrbo device presented in Dublin is said to draw pulsated electric current from a little battery and generate a magnetic field using small inductors which affect the attraction of rotating permanent magnets in different ways: During convergence attracting forces will maximize, while they will decrease during the phase of removal. A broken symmetry hypothesis had been drafted by one Tom Bearden previously.[7] The right moment to feed energy is said to be determined by a Reed contact. The rotation of permanent magnets at the same time will induce current in further conductors (according to Faraday's law of induction) which was said to be sufficient to charge the battery after rectification. The electric power output at the same time was said to be higher (overunity) than that necessary for operation, so that a change of battery was redundant.

Presentations

Steorn Demo.jpg
Steorn9.jpg
Offline

On July 4, 2007 an Orbo-unit was meant to be presented at London Kinetica Museum (Spitalfields Market). The public demonstration was postponed due to technical problems and eventually canceled. Steorn initially stated that heat emitted by spotlights had interfered with the device.[8] Later on they claimed the development of a „greenhouse effect“ within the model.[9][10]

Another demonstration scheduled for December 15, 2009 had been promoted in communications and video streams. The device was displayed at Dublin Waterways Visitor Centre, and three video streams were shown in the Internet (Links: [1] [2] [3]). The streams were interrupted several times. Also, cleaning personnel moved the demonstration engines out of sight to return them after completing cleaning operations.

The device was powered by a small rechargeable battery which was supposed to be recharged by operation and thus never discharge. Steorn even claimed the "Orbo 2009" model produced three times the energy it consumed. Surplus energy was said to be released as heat. The operating power was said to come from the magnets used (Orbo is a technology that creates energy from magnetic interactions.).[11] The demonstration was scheduled to last six weeks, with a break between December 24 and 4. January 4, 2010. There are no instruments registering outputs or inputs of electrical current visible in the videos. According to Steorn, giving a precise energy balance was not possible due to the "complexity" of the simple engine. Since it may not be excluded that the device was operated exclusively by the rechargable battery (1.2 Volt/10 Ah), the demonstration is not appropriate to prove Steorn's claims. Further information may be obtained only by an independent examination which e.g. monitored charging voltage and charging current of the battery (or of a large capacitor) over a longer period of time in order to establish the system's energy balance. According to Steorn, they were not prepared to consider the use of a capacitor as a buffer store instead of the rechargeable 10 Ah battery, since capacitors allegedly had „a delay in delivering current“.[12] In fact, capacitors are able to provide current without any delay.

Tests

Steorn selected a group of scientists forming a jury who were allowed to investigate the Orbo technology. It was headed by Ian MacDonald, professor emeritus of electrical engineering at the University of Alberta. In June 2009, they came to the unanimous verdict that Steorn had not been able to present evidence they in fact „produced“ energy as claimed.[13][3] Members of the jury had to sign an agreement of nondisclosure.

Public Reception and Reactions

The advertisement in The Economist and the claims of Steorn received an echo in newspapers and blogs of several countries. Articles in scientific papers do not exist (March 2011).

Steorn Ltd.

Sean McCarthy

Steorn Ltd. was founded in Dublin in 2000 and is owned by Irishman Sean McCarthy (sometimes "Shaun David McCarthy"). As its business segment, Steorn claims to be a "leading Intellectual Property development company". In the past Steorn in fact operated as a "dot-com" in Internet business and provided expertise to prevent forgery and fraudulent use of cash cards and optical data storage devices. In October 2001, Steorn announced it was a "specialist service company providing programme management and technical assessment advice for European companies engaging in e-commerce projects". Steorn seemed to work at the development of micro generators which can harvest tiny amounts of energy from movement, e.g. for watches without battery. Later an USB Echosensor for measuring magnetic fields and a "Magnetic Torque Measurement System" (to measure pure torque of permanent magnets) were developed and marketed.

In 2006 Steorn allegedly earned 2,5 Million Euro through investors. Overall, Steorn is said to have received more than 8 Million Euro from investors, issueing company shares in return. Critics accused Steorn of only being a clever marketing company which employed claims to attract interest in order to win future customers.

Sean McCarthy resigned as secretary(director) of Steorn on Februar 14, 2011, the new board of directory consists of the main investors representing over 10 million in Steorn investments. A new company "The Steorn Orbo Trust" was founded on March 2, 2011 and officially registered on March 28.[14]

A patent for the Orbo technology was allegedly submitted by Steorn, but not granted to date (March 2011). Steorn does own several patents on magnetic measurement devices:[15]

  • PASSIVE MAGNETIC BEARING. Inventor: MCCARTHY SEAN [IE] ; FLANAGAN SEAMUS [IE]. Applicant: STEORN LTD [IE]. EC: F16C19/10; F16C32/04; IPC: H02K7/09. US2011001379 (A1) - 2011-01-06
  • TORQUE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM. Inventor: MCCARTHY SEAN [IE]. Applicant: STEORN LTD [IE]. ECLA: G01P3/486; G01D5/347C. WO2009087476 (A2) - 2009-07-16
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING ENERGY IN MAGNETIC INTERACTIONS. Inventor: MCCARTHY SEAN DAVID [IE]; SIMPSON ALAN [IE]. Applicant: STEORN LTD [IE]. ECLA: G01R33/038B; G01R33/038. IPC: G01R33/12; G01L3/00; G01R19/00. US2009009157 (A1) 2009-01-08
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING INTERACTION OF LOADS. Inventor: MCCARTHY SHAUN DAVID [IE]; DALY MICHAEL ANDREW [IE]. Applicant: STEORN LTD [IE]; MCCARTHY SHAUN DAVID [IE]. ECLA: G01L3/10; G01M13/02H IPC: G01L3/04; G01L3/10; G01L25/00. WO2008020424 (A1) — 2008-02-21
  • LOW ENERGY MAGNETIC ACTUATOR. Inventor: MCCARTHY SHAUN DAVID [IE]; SIMPSON ALAN [IE]. Applicant: STEORN LTD [IE]; MCCARTHY SHAUN DAVID [IE]. ECLA: H01F7/02A; H01F7/02B4. IPC: (IPC1-7): H01F7/02. WO2006035419 (A1) - 2006-04-06

Versions of this article in other languages

News items

Weblinks

Quellennachweise

  1. ↑ The Economist, August 19, 2006
  2. ↑ Archive page of the Orbo claim
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Irish 'energy for nothing' gizmo fails jury vetting, Irish Times Wed 06 Jun 2009
  4. ↑ Steorn shows revolving Orbo to the public , ZDNet, 15 December, 2009
  5. ↑ Irish energy miracle 'a joke'TheAge, August 20, 2006
  6. ↑ Laws of Physics Apparently Being Rewritten Today, Tech Crunch Jul 4, 2007
  7. ↑ http://www.cheniere.org/references/brokensymmetry.htm
  8. ↑ Irish firm's display of 'free-energy' machine delayed, Belfast Telegraph, 5 July 2007
  9. ↑ Harsh light shines on free energy, Physics World August 2007
  10. ↑ Top 15 Web Hoaxes of All Time, July 15, 2009 by Josh Catone
  11. ↑ What is Orbo?, Steorn Website, accessed March 9, 2011
  12. ↑ Comment by Steorn-CEO Sean McCarthy
  13. ↑ In August 2006 the Irish company Steorn published an advertisement in the Economist announcing the development of "a technology that produces free, clean and constant energy". Qualified experts were sought to form a "jury" to validate these claims. Twenty-two independent scientists and engineers were selected by Steorn to form this jury. It has for the past two years examined evidence presented by the company. The unanimous verdict of the Jury is that Steorn's attempts to demonstrate the claim have not shown the production of energy. The jury is therefore ceasing work. The jury consists of scientists and engineers in relevant fields from Europe and North America, from industry, universities and government laboratories. Information about individual members can be found at http://stjury.ning.com/
  14. ↑ Resignation of McCarthy and new board of directors, Scan of papers
  15. ↑ Steorn search in patent database
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