A Novel Free Pendulum Clock

[Tony JeffreeParticipant @tonyjeffree56510]

He used various corrections in such a way that they balanced each other out. Given the relative simplicity of an electronically impulsed pendulum, there are fewer factors to correct for, and it is potentially a simpler problem (than Harrison/Burgess/Clock B had to deal with) to bring them into balance.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

I gather that the RAS Regulator reproduction under test at Upton Hall (one of several built), based on the same design principles as Clock B but much more representative of Harrison's methods and materials, is performing very well though I don't think details have been published yet.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Tony Jeffree on 04/02/2023 20:59:17:

He used various corrections in such a way that they balanced each other out. …

From John Haine's PM, I learned the way Clock B balances out environmental effects is remarkably clever. I used to think Harrison was a genius, now I think I underestimated him!

I agree an electronically impulsed pendulum ought to do well compared with a mechanical clock, but I'm not finding it easy! Fascinating subject though, full of subtle challenges and interest.

Dave

[Tony JeffreeParticipant @tonyjeffree56510]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 05/02/2023 09:03:16:

Posted by Tony Jeffree on 04/02/2023 20:59:17:

He used various corrections in such a way that they balanced each other out. …

From John Haine's PM, I learned the way Clock B balances out environmental effects is remarkably clever. I used to think Harrison was a genius, now I think I underestimated him!

I agree an electronically impulsed pendulum ought to do well compared with a mechanical clock, but I'm not finding it easy! Fascinating subject though, full of subtle challenges and interest.

Dave

Well worth having a read of "Harrison Decoded" to get the full picture – not a cheap book, but fascinating stuff. As you say, Harrison was, and mostly still is, massively underestimated.

If (as I am) you are making use of a single board computer to manage the sensing and impulsing associated with the pendulum, there are opportunities to measure the environmental conditions around the pendulum and alter its behaviour accordingly. For example, the BBC Micro Bit that I am using has an inbuilt temperature sensor – probably not a very accurate one, but it's a start. And I discovered yesterday that there are add-on boards available for it that can give it temperature, humidity, and pressure measurements. Seems to me like the basis for automated correction based on measurement. The only issue is figuring out the formula…

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