Post by Gareth's Downstairs ComputerSince you asked, the Woodward account agrees with your assertion
that the synchroniser on a hit acts to increase the force of gravity,
although I think it would be better expressed by expressing the total
restoring force resultant.
Just purchased a Synchronome clock so need to take time off to
go and collect it and then play with it.
Would be interested to know your own involvement in horology
as you profess in some depth?
My interest in horology came from a project I have worked on intermittently
over the years to design a self powered timepiece. I believe there is one
in existence that uses variations in air pressure to generate power to keep
a mechanical clock running. My interest is in an electronic clock that will
not only power itself, but will synchronize with radio time signals.
Researching an appropriate antenna design was also what brought me to the
various ham radio groups. At one point I developed an interest in becoming
a ham but the extreme rancor displayed in many of the ham groups has dulled
my interest.
While researching some aspects of these clocks, I ran across the Shortt and
Fedchenko clocks. Both amazing time pieces. The more I examine the Shortt
clock simulation the more I learn about it. I recently understood that it
does not need to use electricity. The electrical components simply provide
a means of transversing the vacuum seal of the master pendulum housing. The
secondary gravity arm could be used as a mechanical escapement to directly
control a clock mechanism inside the vacuum chamber. I'm sure this was not
done because they wanted the electrical contacts anyway since it was derived
from a Synchronome clock to begin with which is used to drive many other
clocks from one high accuracy master.
I think the functionality of the Shortt clock could be duplicated by an all
mechanical equivalent using strong magnets to relay mechanical movement
across the vacuum barrier. It would involve large movements of magnets
which is the antithesis of normal clock works, but I expect it could be
managed if one were obsessed. lol
BTW, when you say you bought a "Synchronome clock", do you mean one of the
approximately 100 Shortt free pendulum electric astronomical regulators
built by Synchronome Co. Ltd? Synchronome built many types of clocks.
--
Rick C