I agree that Mr Phipps cannot be taken seriously but for anyone wishing to pursue the subject, several books have been written about this. A visit to the local library & with the assistance of a sympathetic librarian will unearth some incredible Victorian ideas. To the Victorians, these proposals were offered as serious contenders for the “holy grail” of perpetual motion. To the modern reader they make an amusing diversion for a wet Sunday afternoon. Whilst they are all flawed, the ingenuity of the inventers is quite amazing!
Peter Gain.