[time-nuts] The pendulum problem...

[Brooke Clarke]

Hi:

The Zendulum uses a magnetic ball as the pendulum (it rides on a curved track rather that from a string like the first 
version) and there's a coil in the base.
Each pass over the coil causes the coil to output a pulse that drives a circuit that in turn sends a power pulse to the 
coil repelling the magnet.
I would think this same circuit (maybe a higher power version) could be used to keep a pendulum going.  If so the drive 
train could be removed.
BUT . . . the quality of the time keeping is determined by the pendulum, this is just how it's powered.
http://www.prc68.com/I/GeekStuff.html#Zendulum

If you want to retain the existing drive system then I like Paul's idea.  i.e. a micro controller, coil and small magnet 
so that you could speed up or slow down the pendulum to bring it back into phase after winding quickly.  The DS3231 is a 
fairly accurate real time clock that could be used to discipline the pendulum.

Have Fun,

Brooke Clarke
http://www.PRC68.com
http://www.end2partygovernment.com/2012Issues.html

paul swed wrote:
> Brian,
> It would seem that while you are winding the clock, the pendulum could be
> measured by the use of the same coil that syncs it. That way you would
> sense the run down and over a short period after the clocks been wound
> speed up to re-align the tick.
> I could imagine a coil below the pendulum and perhaps every other second it
> senses the pendulum and the next second it pulse the pendulum to realign
> and power the clock.
>
> If you feed energy to the pendulum why do you need weights? (May have just
> gotten into trouble here).
> Regards
> Paul
> WB8TSL
>
>
> On Fri, Jan 31, 2014 at 7:23 AM, Brian, WA1ZMS <wa1zms at att.net> wrote:
>
>> Mike-
>>
>> Yes, I was wrong. The idea of constant driving power was around. Sadly
>> most of these early American tall clocks with often sand filled weights
>> used a simple design since as you noted cost was important and raw metals
>> such as brass was hard to produce locally and often imported from Europe.
>>
>> I think the best I can do is to use the basic design from the article that
>> David noted and will have to adjust the clock once a week after winding.
>>
>> -Brian, WA1ZMS/4
>> iPhone
>>
>> On Jan 31, 2014, at 4:33 AM, mike cook <michael.cook at sfr.fr> wrote:
>>
>>> Le 31 janv. 2014 à 06:06, Brian, WA1ZMS a écrit :
>>> < snip>
>>>> "Modern" pendulum clocks have a modified gear drive where the
>>>>
>>>> escapement is still being driven while the main wheel is being advanced
>>>>
>>>> to wind the weight cable. Not the case for 200+ year old clocks.
>>>>
>>>>
>>> It is not so much the case that it wasn't available as not always
>> implemented . The problem, and its solution "maintaining power"  had been
>> addressed by many since Christian Huygens in the 17th C. and also John
>> Harrison , the inventor if the marine chronometer in the mid 18th C.
>>   Similarly the principle exists for spring wound clocks, but is often
>> omitted to keep the price down.
>>>> Regards,
>>>>
>>>> -Brian, WA1ZMS/4
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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