[vernon]s Alternating Response Times Radiate Reaction (link) idea apparently works. Here are two machines that use it. one might even fly!
a purely mechanical approach
C elts also known as "rattlebacks" rotate one way first, then the opposite way. if [vernon] were to use periodically modulated
force on a two item clump consisting of a hinged pencil with a regular pencil [vernon] could get the c elt with its periodicity, to rotate whichever way [vernon] preferred. the compression wave would get there at different times between the hinged as well as ...unhinged... pencil thus making the c elt rotate however [vernon prefers] This is different than just using either of two actuators, as the delay of the hinged pencil causes that transmitted force to occur at a different "rotational susceptibility" of the c elt.
when you push it changes the direction of rotation, which is a way that alternating response times (modulate) the reaction
Now here is the longer version, which actually started as a response to [vernon]s ARTRR idea
Alternating Response Times Radiate Reaction makes an omnidirectional pathmover
One ARTRR is two circle magnets levitate on a pencil. the force that permits the magnet to levitate is the spontaneous continuous reordering of magnetic domains from background thermal motion, that is background thermal motion actually provides the motion that realigns ferromagnetic domains as well es electron spins when the magnet is pushed with another magnet. plausability of this is idea comes from the well known technique of magnetic refrigeration where ordered magnetism actually cools things
so it appears to me, using phrases from [vernons original writing, that [vernon]s multihandled beam movers are like a magnetic field "reifying" from a multitude of positionally plural forces, while supergirl directs force from a point. it is both inevitable (at some kinds of matter) as well as potentially useful to vary the time or location phase of these to create groovy new forms of motion.
supposedly then you could make a rotor this way, there is a thing called an c elt, it a shape that spins one direction, then the opposite direction after a while. use the c elt as the base magnet. pushing the levitating magnet towards the magnetic c elt will make it rotate, as it happens one direction, then another. I think that varying the periodicity of the push force on the magnet, as [vernon] suggests we could get the c elt to rotate whichever direction we preferred, thus creating a groovy new motion effect
this ARTRR uses two levitating magnets as well as an c elt to trace arbitrary motion curves: (object starts gliding on a plane) then c elt at base gets full push, thus it just rotates, then, 1/4 strength push, rotate then opposite rotation, which is less energetic, which could make a curve as the ARTRR glided along the path.
further with [vernon]s alternating response periodicity idea you could get the c elt twomagnet mover to travel any direction as you blend the curves. If the c elt were attached to an airfoil rapid rotation might actually lift it off the ground, if you could keep the magnets pulsing!
The purely mechanical approach
the thing is im using a natural "phase effect" material here with the magnet, perhaps theres a purely mechanical approach; if [vernon] were to use alternating force on a clump consisting of a hinged pencil with a regular pencil, skipping the magnets [vernon] could get the c elt with its periodicity, to rotate whichever way [vernon] preferred. the compression wave would get there at different times between the hinged as well as ...unhinged... pencil thus making the c elt rotate however [vernon prefers] This is different than just using either of two actuators, as the delay of the hinged pencil causes that transmitted force to occur at a different "rotational susceptibility" of the c elt.
thats two ARTRRs so I think it works