[time-nuts] The pendulum problem...

[Brian, WA1ZMS]

Now that I have exposed myself as being an antique time-nut as well

as a modern one, (I'm a man of extremes!) I have a question to the group..

 

Has anyone addressed the issue of trying to keep a pendulum clock

locked to an external reference (i.e.: via electro-magnet, etc.) and yet

can work around the problem that very old pendulum clocks have

an issue with the escapement drive stopping while such a typical 8-day

antique clock is being wound?

 

I can understand and deal with syncing the pendulum to an external

reference.. but you end up with a time offset when the clock's main

wheel is being wound once a week.  The pendulum does keep swinging

however the drive power to the 2nd gear is being removed while the

clock is being wound.

 

"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.

 

Regards,

-Brian, WA1ZMS/4