Clocks do not have to tick. A pendulum may be made to swing in a cone, sweeping through two dimensions. The timing is the same, the only problem is that no-one has found a good way to limit the energy input so the arc (diameter) of the swing remains small and constant. The tick by tick release of energy in most escapements results in a stable amplitude of oscillation. Conical (analogue) pendulums have been used in novelty clocks and speciallised clocks to govern the motion of telescopes, particularly for taking long time exposure photographs. The continual start-stop of the train in a clock causes many problems of friction and wear. If the contacting surfaces were in continual motion friction and wear would be much lower. If only a good "escapement" to control a conical pendulum could be found the life and efficiency of the mechanical clock would be greatly increased, and no- one would be kept awake with the ticking of the clock. As it is we have a very strongly established tradition of "locking" and "impulsing" in all the escapements of clocks, very similar to the zero voltage, transition to high, and ultimate return to zero, that we have to trigger counters and the like. cheers, Neville Michie
On 24/02/2008, at 2:46 PM, Tom Clifton wrote: >> From: "Arnold Tibus" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> >> Question, aren't such clocks already a kind >> of 'digital' clocks, using ecapement mechanismn to >> force the drive to run stepwise alike run by >> dripping water? > > ------------------------- > As much as a flush toilet is digital as the lever is > either up or down :) > > > > > ______________________________________________________________________ > ______________ > Be a better friend, newshound, and > know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http:// > mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > > > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] > To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ > time-nuts > and follow the instructions there. _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
