I have described this book to children’s librarians in several states and just received blank stares. Young boy, 99% sure named Fulton, invents a perpetual motion machine by accident. Military types show up and want to steal/pay him for the plans, it involves a huge amount of sugar in the manufacturing process, chaos ensues. I read it in grade school in the 70’s if I wasn’t slipped acid unknowingly.
Lost Classics of Teen Lit: Name That Book! 
I think this is by Daniel Pinkwater but can’t find the exact book.
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