Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-11-30
VIRGINIA ARGUS.
RI CHI M O ND:
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 80. 1919.
PERPETUAL MOTION.

q We GuHW " INC Virginia argue.
SIR,
The numerous abortions of human in
genuity under the title of PERPETUAL Mo-
TIoN, had induced me to treat with consi
derabie Indifference the first annunciation
in the aurora of Mr.. Readhefer's invention.
But subsequent descriptions of his machine,
and a closer attention to particulars, have
nearly convinced me that he has succeeded
in the construction of 4 model exhibiting
motion susceptible of perpetuity. / have
seen no design of the sagacious Pennsylva
MANS contrivance; but have derived nv
notions of it altogether from Mr.. Duane's
paper.
As this is philosophical subject, must
beg leave to be precise and shall before
preceding anyfurther, define what l un
ders:and by Perpetual Motion.
Mr.. Duane defines il to be The generation
efmotion 7uithout cessation, which, in the
main, is good definition enough But it
will bring US something nearer to true
conception of Mr.. Readhefer's invention, /
apprehend, if we call it tie continuity of
CIRCULATION for it is to be understood that
III tins case the motion produced is nothing
more than the effect of gravity.
Let us then, suppose an inclined circular
maveahle plane, secured to- and revolving
round a perpendicular pole, through the
top of which pole there is inserted beam
extending equally on both sides. Let a car
II re with wheels be fastened, by chains or
otherwise, to each end of this beam. -
Now 1t is certain, that if one of these car
riages with wheels be placed little TO the
Fight or to the left of the pnint of greatest
elevation of the inclined circular plane, the
carriage will begin to descend by the mers
force OF ITS own specific gravity, and the
sooner on account of the wheels. especially
fifth inclined circular plane be smooth and
in descending the carriage will give to the
plane circular motion, compelling the pole
to move also by its connection with the
crosS-beam.
But here an obstacle present. itself AS
one carriage desceuds the otb-T will be e.
levated and the ascending carriage opposing
to the descending one an cqsEa3' Jrce, the mo-
tion of the whole machine would be arrested
To obviate this, we al TO observe that
AIR Readhefer has put u ig;hts in his car
riages. These weights, rs / comprehend
the thing, are zvoVea6ie.
When, therefore, Ole IF the carriages ar
rives little beyond the most elevated
point Of the plane, the wheels enable it TO
catch the slightest impulse for descent, and
it descends with heforce of It's own specific
gravity acceie,uted by the graduation ofthe
gvtjPhfS 7pifhi1 IT,
THIS Gcceteraltrn by means If the weights
will take place IN the descending Carriage
nj a time when the weight, of the ascend
my Carriage are either quiescent, or do mt
oJlhoSe a retGrdation equal TO the dcceLerd-
sion whence it must follow, that, in every
decent, the velocity of gravitation win ex
Coed in force the gravitation opposed to it,
and the ascending carriage will necessarily
be brought little beyond the most elevated
point Of the inclined plane, descend in its
Eurn, and thus perpetuate the gravitaiion.
Some assistance TO this perpetuation NAV
be derived from the inclined plane itself /;
which, moving in the same direction with
the Carriages, will assist The descending one
50 overcome the gravtating force of the as
oerding one.
The perpetuity of the gravitation, then,
depends upon this particular circumstance,
e. Wit:
The diF'rence Qfvetocityia two bodies Of
equal gravity, inheihg each othsr, and
lf1srDii1g fhcir alterations IN eq4ai sfiace8
07d in equal times.
This difference oFUelocity is chiefly coca
sionsd by the 7Ucighfs, rs already described
Now, we are to observe. that the differ
ence Of velocity necessary to tie perpetua-
zion Of the gravtaton is distinct thing from
. .Hit SUM WI iilG NtloLlAN DTOnuCtu DN TIC
SUN Of the gravitation OF both the carriages
upon the inclined plane The difference oi
che velocity perpctuates the motion; the
Gum Of the velocity constitutes the mechani-
eal momentum Of the machine.
The question here presents itself; car
thiS Momentum be increased | answer
n Gun. For, as a pound we GIN will de
scend with more force than an ounce, So
will greater acceleraiing weight IN the
descending carriage increase its velocity
and Of course increase the velocity Of the
pole by means Of tie cross-beam to which
she carriages arc fastened A cog vince
pr erly fixed to the pole will communicate
the force OF this velocity to any object e
which it may be wished to apply it. shoult
suppose, also, that the D1oD1entum ofthe ma
chine might be increased by enlarging thC
diameter of the inclined plane.
This, Mr. Peasants, is NY conception o
Mr.. Reedhefes's invention. sbouid be giad