[rayhelm (OP)]

In my continuing quest to save the planet from global warming, please consider the following.

Combustion engines, universally used but not very environmentally friendly. Now considering that a combustion engine (such as in a car) is also a reciprocating engine why can`t we change the impulse force to something non polluting.

I had the thought that the impulse does not have to be an exploding or expanding gas, what about electromagnetic repulsion.

Position a fixed electromagnet where the spark plug or ignition coil would be and another forming the piston, fire them both at the top of the piston cycle and the repulsive force should force the piston down with sufficient force to complete a cycle.

This is not the famed perpetual motion machine as it would require electric current to operate but if this was feasible I feel it would be a better alternaive to all those green house gas emissions

[Pumblechook]

errrr

[iko]

Perpetual Motion - Leonardo Da Vinci

http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/museum/models/leo-whl.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhR-K10UjnY

[Bored chemist]

"if this was feasible I feel it would be a better alternaive to all those green house gas emissions"
And, since it's not feasible, it isn't an alternative.

[another_someone]

In my continuing quest to save the planet from global warming, please consider the following.

Combustion engines, universally used but not very environmentally friendly. Now considering that a combustion engine (such as in a car) is also a reciprocating engine why can`t we change the impulse force to something non polluting.

I had the thought that the impulse does not have to be an exploding or expanding gas, what about electromagnetic repulsion.

Position a fixed electromagnet where the spark plug or ignition coil would be and another forming the piston, fire them both at the top of the piston cycle and the repulsive force should force the piston down with sufficient force to complete a cycle.

This is not the famed perpetual motion machine as it would require electric current to operate but if this was feasible I feel it would be a better alternaive to all those green house gas emissions

Sounds to me that what you are describing is a poorly designed electric car.  We have better designs of electric car, but you still need to generate the electricity somewhere.

[lightarrow]

Perpetual Motion - Leonardo Da Vinci

http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/museum/models/leo-whl.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhR-K10UjnY

This is the best:

[Pumblechook]

Electric motors are simple and efficient.  I can't imagine a reciprocating electric engine being either of those things.   

[another_someone]

Electric motors are simple and efficient.  I can't imagine a reciprocating electric engine being either of those things.   

It depends on what you are trying to do.

You can make efficient reciprocating electric motors, the problem here is that you are trying to convert reciprocating action to rotary action, and that conversion will carry frictional losses.

[lyner]

Why not go the whole hog and use linear motors?
And throw in some maglev. Magic.