ServoSync Design Evolution
The conception of the Time Traveler’s Clock includes the means by which a mechanical
chronometer is kept in perfect synchronization with an atomic- or GPS-based time
signal. A very small rotary motion (on the order of +/- 0.5mm) applied to the gimbal-
mounted chronometer will cause the balance wheel and detent escapement to fall into
resonance with that motion. Several design problems needed to be solved in order to
make this system practical. A servo motor of the type used in robots and remote-
control models is driven by a microcontrollers to provide a back-and-forth motion, and
this motion is connected to the gimbals of the chronometer by means of a lever and a
linkage.
Two problems remained: how to mount the chronometer and its gimbals in such a way
that the chronometer can be rotated by this small amount; and, how to provide space
for the chronometer to be tilted forward so it could be manually wound. Three
successive designs were developed.
1.
Ring-bearing Design:
The first design developed to impulse the chronometer back and forth in a rotary
direction used a thin-section ball bearing. A servo motor was linked to the rotary
carriage with a simple linkage to transmit the back-and-forth rotary impulse to the
chronometer gimbal rings. This design worked well, but the bearing, being was a
complete circle, would not allow the chronometer to be tilted forward for manual
winding.
Figure 13: ServoSync Mechanism with Thin Ball Bearing Design
Summary of Contents for The Time Traveler's Clock
Page 19: ...Figure 12 Cesium Chip Scale Atomic Clock Circuit Board...
Page 23: ...Figure 16 Time Traveler s Clock System Schematic Diagram...
Page 24: ...Figure 17 Hamilton 21 Chronometer Starting Instructions...
Page 25: ...TTC Installation and Operation Manual...
Page 34: ...Figure 21 Gimbal Locking...
