B.I.O.S. FINAL REPORT NO.1043

Item No. 31.

[was] CONFIDENTIAL

THE INVENTION OF HANS COLER, RELATING TO AN ALLEGED NEW SOURCE OF POWER

Reported by R. Hurst, M. of S.

B.I.O.S.Trip No. 2394

BIOS Target Number: C31/4799.

BRITISH INTELLIGENCE OBJECTIVES SUB-COMMITTEE,
32, Bryanstone Square, London, W.1.


[was] CONFIDENTIAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

										     Page No.
             
		I.  	Object of Visit and Summary ...........................		1
               
		II.    	Historical Notes
                   
				1.   	The "Magnetstromapparat"......		        1
                    
				2. 	The "Stromerzeuger"..................		2

		III.	Report

				1.	Interrogation of H.Coler.............	        3

				2.	Interrogation of F.Modersohn..		        4

				3.	Construction and Testing of
					the "Magnetstromapparat"........		5

		IV.	Conclusion.............................................		6

		APPENDICES

		Appendix I	Details of Stromerzeuger.........................	7

			      II	Report  by Professor Kloss....................	9

			     III	Report by Professor Schumann.............	15

			     IV	Report by Dr. Frohlich and Coler
				to O.K.M............................................	20
			     

			       V	Report by Coler on Frohlich´s
				Experiment.............................................	29

		Figures 1 - 4
Personnel of Team

  • R. Hurst, Ministry of Supply Captain R.Sandberg, Norwegian Army


    The Invention of Hans Coler relating to an alleged new source of power

  • I. OBJECT OF VISIT AND SUMMARY

    Coler is the inventor of two devices by which it is alleged electrical energy may be derived without a chemical or mechanical source of power. Since an official interest was taken in his inventions by the German Admiralty it was felt that investigation was warranted, although normally it would be considered that such a claim could only be fraudulent.

    Acccordingly Coler was visited and interrogated. He proved to be co-operative and willing to disclose all details of his devices, and consented to build up and put into operation a small model of the so-called "Magnetstromapparat" using material supplied to him by us, and working only in our presence. With this device, consisting only of permanent magnets, copper coils, and condensers in a static arrangement he showed that he could obtain a tension of 450 millivolts for a period of some hours: and in a repetition of the experiment the next day 60 millivolts was recorded for a short period. The apparatus has ben brought back and is now being further investigated.

    Coler also discussed another device called the "Stromer- zeuger", from which he claimed that with an input of few watts from a dry battery an output of 6 kilowatts could be obtained indefinitely. No example of this apparatus exists today, but Coler expressed his willingness to construct it, given the materials, the time required being about three weeks.

    Opportunity was taken to interrogate Dr. F. Modersohn who had been associated with Coler for ten years and had provided financial backing. He corroborated Coler´s story in every detail.

    Neither Coler nor Modersohn were able to give any theory to account for the working of these devices, using acceptable scientific notions.

    II HISTORICAL NOTES

    1. The "Magnetstromapparat"
    This device consists of six permanent magnets wound

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    in a special way so that the circuit includes the magnet itself as well as the winding, (See Fig.1). These six magnet-coils are arranged in a hexagon and connected as shown in the diagram (Figs. 2 and 3), in a circuit which includes two small condensers, a switch, and a pair of solenoidal coils, one sliding inside the other.
    To bring the device into operation the switch is left open, the magnets are moved slightly apart, and the sliding coil set into various positions, with a wait of several minutes between adjustments.
    The magnets are then separated still further, and the coils moved again. This process is repeated until at a critical separation of the magnets an indication appears on the voltmeter.
    The switch is now closed, and the procedure continued more slowly. The tension then builds up gradually to a maximum, and should then remain indefinitely.
    The greatest tension obtained was stated to be 12 volts.

    The "Magnetstromapparat" was developed by Coler and von Unruh (now dead) early in 1933, and they were later assisted by Franz Haid of Siemens-Schukert, who built him self a model which worked in December 1933.
    This was seen by Dr. Kurt Mie of Berlin Technische Hochschule and Herr Fehr (Haber´s assistent at the K.W.I.), who reported that the device apperently worked, and that they could detect no fraud.
    One model is said to have worked for 3 months locked in a room in the Norwegian Legation in Berlin in 1933.
    No further work appears to have been done on this system since that date.

    2. The "Stromerzeuger"

    This device consists of an arrangement of magnets, flat coils, and copper plates, with a primary circuit energised by a small battery.
    The output from the secondary was used to light a bank of lamps and was claimed to be many times the orginal input, and to continue indefinitely.
    Details of the circut, and a theory as to its mode of operation were given (summarized in Appendix I).

    In 1925 Coler showed a small (10-watt) version to Prof. Kloss (Berlin), who asked the Government to give it a thorough investigation, but this was refused, as was also a patent, on the grounds that it was a "perpetual motion machine". This version was also

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    seen by Profs. Schumann (Munich), Bragstad (Trondheim) and Knudsen (Copenhagen).
    Reports by Kloss and Schumann are translated in Appendics II and III.

    In 1933 Coler and von Unruh made up a slightly larger model with an output of 70 watts. This was demonstrated to Dr. F. Modersohn, who obtained from Schumann and Kloss confirmation of their tests in 1926. Modershon then consented to back the invention, and formed a company (Coler G.m.b.h.) to continue the development.
    At the same time a Norweigan group had been giving financial support to Coler, and these two groups clashed.
    Modersohn´s connection with Rhein- metall Borsig, and hence with the official Hermann Goering combine gave him an advantage in this. Coler then in 1937 built for the Company a lager version with an output of six kilowatts.

    In 1943 Modersohn brought the device to the attention of the Research Department of the O.K.M. The investigation was placed under direction of Oberbaurat Seysen, who sent Dr. H. Frolich to work with Coler from 1.4.43 to 25.9.43.
    Frohlich was convinced of the reality of the phenomena, and set about investigating the fundamentals of the device. He apperently concentrated on a study of the energy changes which occur on the opening and closing of inductive circuits.
    At the end of the period he was transferred to B.M.W. to work on aerodynamic problems and is now working in Moscow.

    In 1944 a contract was arranged by the O.K.M. with Continental Metall A.G. for further development, but this was never carried out owing to the state of the country.
    In 1945 the apparatus was destroyed by a bomb, in Kolberg, whither Coler had evacuated. Since that time Coler had been employed, sometimes as an engineer and sometimes as alabourer.
    Modersohn had severed his connection with Rheinmetall Borsig, of which he had been director, and was working for the russian authorities as a consultant in chemical engineering.

    III. REPORT

    1. Interrogation of Coler

    Coler was questioned first about the history of his

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    inventions, when the details above were given.

    He was then questioned about the theory of the devices, but he was unable to give any coherent suggestions as to the mechanism. He stated that his researches (apparently conducted with crude apparatus) into the nature of magnetism had lead him to conclude that ferro-magnetism was an oscillating phenomenon, of frequency about 180 kilohertz.
    This oscillaation took place in the magnetic circuit of the apparatus, and induced in the electrical circuit oscillations the frequency which of course depended on the values of the components used.
    These two phenomena interacted, and gradually built up the tension.
    As the mechanism was not understood the proper arrangement could not be worked out, but had been arrived at by experiment, and the apparatus had to be brought into adjustment by similar trial and error methods.
    Coler stated that the strength of the magnets did not decrease during use of the apparatus; and suggested that he was tapping a new sort of energy hitherto unknow, -"Raumenergie" (Space-energy).
    Coler gave a resume of the work done by Dr. Frohlich for the O.K.M., and produced a copy of Frohlich´s report, written jointly with himself (translation reproduced as Appendix IV) and a report of his own (part of which is given in Appendix V).

    Coler was next asked if he would consent to build models of these devices if material was made available. He agreed that he could do this, and stated that it would take one week to construct a "Magnetstromapparat", and a month to construct a "Stromerzeuger".
    Accordingly we supplied the magnets, condensers and copper wire needed for the former, and Coler proceeded to build an apparatus as discussed in Section 3. A list of material required for the "Stromerzeuger" was drawn up by Coler.

    2. Interrogation of Dr. F. Modersohn

    Modersohn was questioned about the history of these devices, with which he had been concerned financially, and corroborated the details given by Coler. He stated that he had at first disbelieved Coler´s claims, but had taken great precautions to eliminate fraud.
    He had seen the 70 watt "Stromerzeuger" working on a number of occasions, and had taken it while working from one

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    room to another. All parts were visible and nothing was hidden. As he was himself not expert he had tried to get experts to examine it thoroughly, but reputable scientists either refused to have anything to do with it at all , or else were more concerned to find a fraud than to see how it worked.
    The exception was Dr. Frohlich, who was convinced of the reality of the effect, and who also believed that the secret was to be found in a analysis of the energy changes in the special inductive circuit used.
    He had made experiments to test his ideas, but Modersohn denied knowledge of the results.
    Modersohn was extremly methodical, and showed his files on the subject: these contained copies of all letters and reports concerning the device, since 1933.

    3. Construction and Testing of the "Magnetstromapparat"

    In our presence and with material supplied by us (some brought from England and the rest bought locally) Coller built an apparatus as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.
    It is to be noted that some magnets are wound in a clockwise direction looking at the N pole (called left) and others in an anti-clockwise direction (called right).
    The magnets were selected to be as nearly equal in strength as possible, and the resistance of the magnet- coil combination was checked after winding to see that this also was uniform (about .33 ohm).
    The physical arrangement was as shown in Fig. 2, in a breadboard style. Measurements of voltage and current across A-B were made with a Mavometer. A mechanical arrange- ment of sliders and cranks for separating the magnets evenly all round was made up.

    On 1.7.46 experiments were being continued after three days of fruitless adjusting, and when the magnets were at a separation of about 7 mm. the first small deflection was noted (about 9 a.m.).
    The switch was closed and by slow adjustment of the sliding coil, and by increasing the separation of the magnets to just over 8 mm, by 11 a.m. the tension was raised to 250 millivolts and by 12.30 p.m. it was 450 millivolts.
    This was maintained for another 3 hours when a soldered tag became disconnected, and the meter slowely dropped back to zero. Soldering up the broken connection did not restore the tensinon. The magnets were closed up and left overnight and the same procedure for finding the adjustment was repeated on 2.7.46. After about

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    three hours a deflection of 60 millivolts was obtained; this was maintained for more then 30 minutes, but then decresed to zero when further adjustments were tried.

    During all this work the model was completely open, and nothing could be hidden in it. The breadboard and meter could be picked up and moved round the room, tilted, or turned, without effect.

    The apparatus would appear to be too crude to act as as a reciver of broadcast energy, or to operate by induction from the mains (the nearest cable being at least 6 feet away), and the result must for the moment be regarded as inexplicable.

    IV. CONCLUSIONS

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    APPENDIX I

    Summary account of the "Stromerzeuger"

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    APPENDIX II

    Translation of Report by Professor M, Kloss (Berlin)
    on test on the apparatus, constructed by Captain
    Coler (dated 4th March, 1926)

    On the 3rd of March I have on request inspected the apparatus constructed by Captain Coler, and I undertook some tests regarding its efficiency. Professor Dr. R. Franke from the Technical College of Berlin was present at these tests.

    The apparatus, in its construction already known to me from a previous inspection, consists of:

    to whose cores silver wires are attached and through which branch currents of the plate-system are conducted. For each of the three systems a three part accumulator-battery of 6 volts and 6.5 ampere hours capacity is provided.
    The plate-circuit and the spool-circuit are parallel so that the two batteries appertaining there-to can also be replaced by a single battery.
    This was ascertained towards the end of the tests by switching off the one battery while the apparatus was working.

    When asked why two batteries were used at all, Captian Coler declared that for starting the apparatus a double battery is necessary to get a second charge -impetus after exciting with the one battery, and this for releasing the peculiar character of the apparatus.
    A test made towards the finish of a series of trails confirmed this assertion in as much as the mechanism could not be started with the single battery, on the contrary the "adjustment" of the mechanism got disturbed.

    Current-indicatores are built into each of the three circuits mentioned, as well as volt-meters, behind some switch-resistances necessary for the "adjustment".
    Between the open ends of the two plate and spool-systems there are therminal clamps for the effective circuit for whose loading three bulbs of 8 volts are provided.
    The apparatus was then put into action and above all the load was tested with 2 lamps, 3 lamps and running light.
    There-upon and by means of precision-instrument (continuos current type)' Siemens & Halske Nr. 423820 the indications of the built-in instruments were controlled by switching on the mentioned precision-instrument in turn to the single circuits, that is direct to the one terminal clamp of the battery, in order to ascertian if perhaps through any by-connections with the batteries, not conspicuous at once, more current might be received than the built -in instruments were showing.
    The tests showed a sufficient conformity within the bounds of measuring accuracy.

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    Finally the same instrument was switched on also to the effect circuit, whereby some greater differences with the instruments built into this circuit were shown; on the other hand, however, not such differences as to alter fundamentally the total result in any way.

    In order to find out besides, whether the output current might be identical with a wave-current overlapping continuous current, the last control test was repeated by using a hotwire-instrument furnished by me, make of Hartmann & Braun, Nr. 254159.
    In case there would have been such wave-currents, the hotwire- instrument would have had to indicate a bigger current than was shown by the continuous-current instrument.
    In reality, however, a somewhat smaller current was found when employing the hotwire-instrument. This may be explained by the fact that the inner resistance of the instrument is about 10 times greater than that of the continuous-current instrument, so that when switching on the hotwire-instrument the load of the apparatus was somewhat lessened.
    The difference between 3.08 ampere measured with the continuous-current instrument as compared with 2.95 ampere measured with the hotwire-instrument is easily explained when taking into account the divergences of the two instrument-resistances.
    Therefore one can infer from this test that in the load-circuit we have to deal with real continuous current.

    The results of the tests are compiled in the annexed table.

    The figures show very well that the consumption of energy in the exernal circuit is greater than the energy taken from the batteries.
    According to the curcuit, produced by Captain Coler, which within this short time I could not check in all its parts, the magnet-exciting circuit is fed by special battery, completely separated from the other two circuits.
    Consequently, a direct comparison of efficiency and consumption of the apparatus would mean that only the sum of current of the plate circuit and of the spool circuit would count.
    After the established estimates with my own instrument and on a load of three bulbs, there was resulting a current from the two mentioned batteries of 0.215 + 0.070 = 0.285 ampere.
    At the same time the three bulbs consumed ca. 3.7 ampere, according to the built-in instruments, which is about 0.2 ampere too much as was proved later on by a control of this instrument, so that the real consumption has been about 3.5 ampere at a tension of about 2.3 volt.

    The reception of current from the two batteries in this case consequently was 1.7 watt while the consumption of the

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    PART 2/3