" Original Poster: "Bert Pool" <bertpool-at-ticnet-dot-com> Nikola Tesla has a patent on this idea. It uses two coils and a permanent magnet assembly to "route" a.c. current to form a d.c. current. The output is not perfect d.c., and has a rather high a.c. ripple component, but is suitable for running d.c. motors, etc. Bert Pool" Bert: What's the patent number? That sounds interesting and I'd like to read the patent. Ed