[BC] Aluminum and magnetic/electric currents

[WFIFeng@aol.com]

In a message dated 02/04/2006 1:04:56 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
lowen at pari.edu writes:

> I have a book that gives the technical name for this, but the name escapes 
> me 
>  right now; will look it up.  The neat thing is that, if you align the axis 
> of 
>  the disc with the Earth's magnetic poles, you can get the same generator 
>  capacity.

How is that possible, when the magnets around the disc are quite strong? 
Their proximity makes a HUGE difference in the amount of drag the unit creates.

I know that the voltage would be very low... if it were AC, it could be 
coupled into a transformer to step it up. It's very low voltage at many amps, which 
causes the eddy currents which oppose the motion of the disc. I cannot 
imagine the *tiny* energy from the Earth's magnetic field would have much effect on 
that 6" disc!

If this were so, why don't we have huge generators tapping into Earth's 
fields, now? Sounds like one of those "free energy" scams that have been around 
forever.

Willie...