Bryan St. Clair discusses advances in Pulsed Inertial Engine Technology (PIEtech), including a new “PIE Mini” that is a functional miniature demonstration model. He has just posted some videos on YouTube and bitchute of the Mini. He also hopes to have a new electric motor on the Trammel Engine (PIE X), and plans to talk about what he thinks it will do for the unit.

St. Clair begins with a focus on his advancements in inertial propulsion, building upon the work of Branson Roy Thornson. He detailed his iterative designs of pulsed inertial engines (PIs), highlighting improvements over Thornson’s original design, such as preventing center crossing and incorporating a ramp extension for controlled weight release. He showcased various iterations, from early crude models to the refined, adjustable PI 2.0 and the miniature Mini PI, suitable for various applications.

St. Clair also discussed his ongoing work on the PI X, utilizing a trammel of Archimedes, and acknowledged the contributions of several collaborators. The presentation included visuals of the different PI prototypes and concluded with contact information and a call to action to visit St. Clair Tech’s website for more information.

Building Upon the Legacy of Branson Roy Thornson:

St. Clair’s work builds upon the pioneering efforts of Canadian inventor Branson Roy Thornson, who developed a unique planetary gearset system for inertial propulsion. Thornson’s original design, while functional, suffered from significant mechanical losses due to its braking system. St. Clair showcased a VHS recording of Thornson’s demonstration unit (available on his YouTube and Bitchute channels – search “St. Clair Tech” or “grassroots mechanic movement”), highlighting the limitations of the original design.

St. Clair’s Innovations: Addressing Thornson’s Challenges:

St. Clair has spent years refining Thornson’s original concept, resulting in several iterations of his own inertial propulsion systems (PIs). His key improvements include:

• Preventing Center Crossing: Unlike Thornson’s design, St. Clair’s system prevents the weights from crossing the center point, significantly improving efficiency. Images of his reliable PI 1.0 system were shown.
• Controlled Weight Release: Instead of a braking system, St. Clair utilizes a ramp extension to precisely control the timing of weight release. The length of the ramp directly impacts the release timing.
• Improved Weight Design: Early designs used crude weights (lead-filled pipes), but St. Clair has progressed to a dead blow weight design (hollow weight filled with steel shot), reducing fatigue and enhancing impact force.
• Speed Differential Control: A critical innovation is the speed differential control, which addresses a major loss of propulsion that occurs when the motor works hardest (slowing down). By increasing motor speed at the moment of slowdown, St. Clair has significantly improved efficiency. This involved transitioning from a belt system (prone to slippage) to timing belts/chains and utilizing a rheostat/potentiometer for precise speed control. Sensors, initially from a building alarm system, replaced micro-switches for non-contact speed control, a suggestion from Tokyo Muramatsu.

The Mini PI and the PI X: Scaling and Expanding the Technology:

St. Clair showcased the Mini PI, a compact proof-of-concept demonstrator using 2-inch gears and weighing only 8.5 lbs. This small device demonstrates the impressive power-to-weight ratio achievable with his design and holds potential for automotive, land, and even space applications.

He also introduced the PI X, a more ambitious project utilizing a trammel of Archimedes. While initially considered a “do nothing machine,” St. Clair has adapted it for elliptical drawing and linear propulsion. Testing with a 10ft balance beam has yielded varied results, prompting further collaboration and development. A significant upgrade to the PI X motor (from 350 watts to 1800 watts) promises improved performance and control.

Collaboration and Future Directions:

St. Clair acknowledged the contributions of several individuals, including Mike Gamble, Tokyo Muramatsu, Steve Hampton, Sandy Kidd, Mike Marsden, Dean Tesla, and others. He expressed plans to further collaborate on the PI X project and potentially invite additional speakers to showcase progress in future presentations. His presentation concluded with contact information and a call to action for further engagement.

St. Clair’s work represents a significant advancement in inertial propulsion technology, offering a potential pathway towards more efficient and sustainable transportation solutions. His open-source approach and willingness to collaborate promise exciting developments in the years to come. Visit St. Clair Tech’s website for more information.