Some Problems whith Steorn's law

In our last installment, I told you some things about my experience with the Steorn Knowlege Development Base (SKDB) and updated you on my experience as one of the "Steorn 300."

For those of you just tuning in, Steorn is a small Irish company claiming a novel "free energy" technology called "Orbo." Orbo technology comes in two flavors, permanent magnet and some sort of negation of counter electromotive force. I have been selected as one of 300 engineering companies to study and develop Steorn's technology.

I learned recently (the "hard way," which is how I seem to learn most things!) that Steorn is quite sensitive about certain specifics related to their plans. In my last article on this topic, I "let slip" (completely unintentionally, I hasten to mention!) certain details about the number of training modules and about the tentative release schedule for new training modules. The very next day I received an email from Steorn, written by Sean himself.

Sean was very gentlemanly about the matter, simply pointing out that I had violated one of the terms of the Non-Disclosure Agreement that we've signed. Furthermore, Sean hastened to assure me that Steorn is not attempting to censor what I write, or to dictate my conclusions.

I know that Sean is NOT a lawyer because he quite candidly admitted that he had not read in any detail the portion of the agreement which I seem to have violated, and so I imagine Steorn's lawyers watch for news reports to appear (Hello lads! :) and then take whatever action may be appropriate.

"The issue that we have specifically relates to your blog including the dates and number of modules and so on. The dates are highly confidential."

My very first act having read Sean's email was to go back to my article and amend the offending portion, removing all the specifics that Sean had pointed out. Only then did I reply to Sean to let Steorn know that I had no thought of intentionally violating the agreement, and expressing my appreciation for the gentle way in which Sean had responded.

In the course of briefly corresponding with Sean I also mentioned the relatively recent revelation that disclosures to The 300 will be confined to methods of "decoupling CEMF from torque for electromagnet interactions" rather than "controlling the response time of magnetic materials" -- Steorn's originally announced technology.

"I have been a bit disappointed by the discovery that in this training series we'll be dealing with electromagnetic effects rather than permanent magnets; however, as it turns out, that is closer to my own native field of expertise and so I am still quite looking forward to learning new things."

Sean's response was quite encouraging in that regard. Without releasing details, what I heard him say was that the CEMF method will be disclosed first because it is somewhat easier to grasp and to apply. However, the PM (permanent magnet) method will be disclosed to The 300 after Steorn feels that the EM method has been understood. One of Sean's comments to me about the PM method was quite telling:

"...we also understand that it appeals in the 'thats what a perpetual motion machine should look like' way."

Indeed! :)

I know that there is a sizable population who, somewhat like myself, are anxious for news about Steorn and it's fascinating Orbo technology. It is my hope to keep you as informed as possible - within the constraints of my agreement with Steorn and of the time I have available. It takes several hours to do a creditable job of writing each of these articles -- time "borrowed" from other activities -- but I know that if I were "on the outside" I would be rather intently wanting to "peer in!"

The SKDB and associated forums have been very entertaining and educational so far. Each module takes about ten to fifteen minutes to thoughtfully complete. including answering the five quiz questions at the end. Steorn has presented one of their training modules as a sample on their website, and you can "take it for a spin" here if you like:

"Key Concepts in Rotary Systems" (SKDB Sample Module)

The training modules, which I have now mostly completed, have proven to be a useful refresher course, bringing basic physics and engineering concepts "back into focus" at an opportune time. I now feel somewhat better prepared to delve into the occult* world of Steorn knowledge -- whenever they may choose to release the final modules that present what they claim to be their company's "family jewels," i.e. intellectual property related to Steorn's Orbo technology.

What lies ahead? I can't help but wonder whether the competing technologies already in the public literature that make similar claims are really no different from Steorn. For example, please look at this comprehensive description of a machine that is purported to effectively counteract the effects of Lenz Law. We should have some idea at least, before too long.

Although I cannot expose any proprietary technical details gleaned from my study of the confidential SKDB materials, I intend to try and convey at least a sense of my experience to you, my readers, and to continue be, if not an unbiased reporter, at least a reporter who will express my best evaluation of what I see and who will inform you of the biases that I recognize in myself. I feel that that is the least I can do as one of "The Steorn 300" and I hope you'll stay tuned as this adventure continues.

I found Sean's parting remarks quite personally encouraging:

"Again I would like to say many thanks for your input and the open mind - I/we have no problems with you posting your views (good/bad/indifferent) - its just the specifics that cause concern."
Sean, I would like to say many thanks both to you and to Steorn as a company for inviting me along on this ride. I'll try to avoid publishing any specifics while trying to keep my audience "in the loop" as well as I'm able. I think we all very much look forward to what's ahead!

Note: Follow the links below for previous articles in this series.