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Figure 5:  Winding Mechanism 

 

 
Pyramid Cesium CSACGPSDO Prototype 

The next generation of prototypes was built in a pyramidal shape with proportions from 

the Great Pyramid of Giza.  The bottom of the enclosure was black acrylic with a window 

for the electronic displays, and the upper cover was clear acrylic to allow viewing of the 

controls and chronometer.  The thermal printer to record the natural rate of the 

chronometer was added to the rear panel, and backup batteries (Saft thionyl-chloride D 

cells) were fitted inside the base.  The “tick” signal output from the mechanical 

chronometer needed to operate the rating circuit and printer was changed to a simple 

contact-closure mechanism which is available in a few of the Hamilton 21 chronometers 

which were made in the last century.  While only a few of these exist, the mechanical 

contact closure is much superior to optical and audio sensors that were evaluated to 

pick up the “ticks” of the chronometer. 

In the Pyramid Clock, the atomic reference was a Jackson Labs cesium-CSAC GPS 

Disciplined Oscillator module, which incorporated a cesium reference oscillator phase-

locked to the GPS chip.  A separate display was run from this module to display the date, 

time, latitude, longitude, and operational characteristics of its GPS and the CSAC.  The 

GPS clock was a ublox EVK-M8F module, which provided date, time, longitude, and 

Содержание The Time Traveler's Clock

Страница 1: ...THE TIME TRAVELER S CLOCK The Project s History and User Manual Euclid Laboratories Inc Teaticket MA...

Страница 2: ...igin of the TTC o How Did This Project Begin o Why Do You Need a Time Traveler s Clock o What if Time Travel is Impossible History of Prototypes o Cesium Breadboard Prototype o Pyramid Cesium CSACGPSD...

Страница 3: ...ation o Reading Times from the Display Panel o Reading Time and Winding Reserve from the Chronometer Time keeping Verification Servo Controls o ServoSync o Rate Atomic and Rate Error Measurement o Rat...

Страница 4: ...Locking the Chronometer for Storage or Shipment Appendices Schematic Diagram Description of the Circuit Operation Firmware...

Страница 5: ...ated which utilizes a silicon real time clock RTC chip to provide time in case the GPS signal is unavailable and the CSAC atomic clock fails or runs out of power The RTC chip contains a temperature co...

Страница 6: ...lculated from the Hamilton chronometer even if the GPS and atomic references are not functioning for example if electrical power has been lost for longer than the backup batteries will maintain operat...

Страница 7: ...ll its displays and on the Hamilton chronometer Origin of the TTC How Did This Project Begin After discovering and rebuilding the Time Viewer originally constructed by Leonardo da Vinci the present in...

Страница 8: ...system isn t operational You might travel to the future when the time standards and navigational systems are completely different from what we have now but you ll be able to find some form of electric...

Страница 9: ...lays for time from the GPS and the RTC A circuit was incorporated to allow re setting the RTC from the GPS whenever desired Additional problems to be worked out were an automatic winding system a back...

Страница 10: ...wards which would damage the chronometer a One way Clutch is pressed into the Winding Gear and rides on the hardened surface of the Winding Spindle When each winding cycle is completed the Winding Rac...

Страница 11: ...er needed to operate the rating circuit and printer was changed to a simple contact closure mechanism which is available in a few of the Hamilton 21 chronometers which were made in the last century Wh...

Страница 12: ...al cubical mahogany box like what has been traditionally used for marine chronometers but increased in size having more internal volume and a smaller footprint than the pyramid The cube box had a lowe...

Страница 13: ...n a separate enclosure and connected by a cable to the rear panel of the box In addition to the GPS Antenna connection on the rear panel SMA connectors supplied the MAC 10MHz reference frequency the M...

Страница 14: ...n reference frequency The rubidium MAC was replaced with the cesium CSAC used in the Cesium Breadboard Prototype Otherwise the MCB Prototype was like the Cube Box Prototype and used the same electroni...

Страница 15: ...ted balance wheel that would not require the time consuming and laborious process of regulation that was required by the Swiss pattern chronometers Figure 9 Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Predecesso...

Страница 16: ...he TTC keeps the mechanical chronometer synchronized to GNSS or atomic precision by means of a servo mechanical system It has been found that a very small rotation of the chronometer every second will...

Страница 17: ...over even if satellite signals are lost By itself the uBlox M8F receiver has a holdover precision of 1 x 10 7 or 8 milliseconds per day If an atomic reference signal is supplied then the holdover prec...

Страница 18: ...esses TTCs use atomic frequency standards based upon the oscillations of cesium or rubidium atoms These are the most precise reference standards available that can be used in portable equipment The Mi...

Страница 19: ...Figure 12 Cesium Chip Scale Atomic Clock Circuit Board...

Страница 20: ...he 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 amoun...

Страница 21: ...bearing balls The inner and outer rings and the plastic ball carrier are cut to provide clearance for the chronometer to be tilted forward for manual winding Again a servo motor and linkage provides t...

Страница 22: ...es to match the outer periphery of the ring The stainless steel ring is attached to the chronometer gimbals The motion is transmitted from a servo motor via a linkage as in previous designs The ring i...

Страница 23: ...Figure 16 Time Traveler s Clock System Schematic Diagram...

Страница 24: ...Figure 17 Hamilton 21 Chronometer Starting Instructions...

Страница 25: ...TTC Installation and Operation Manual...

Страница 26: ...s o Main Power Battery Charger and Connecting Cable 1 The main power supply consists of a battery backed uninterruptible power supply UPS that supplies 12V DC current to the Main 12V power connector o...

Страница 27: ...ar panel by turning it so the red dots align and pushing it on No tightening is required The printer cable may be removed by grasping its knurled sleeve and pulling straight out 2 Using the Printer is...

Страница 28: ...onds This display is completely independent from the other timekeeping systems and serves as a backup and confirmation of proper operation The time displayed on the Real Time Clock display may be seve...

Страница 29: ...new from the factory although the chronometer should still be operating and will not need to be reset o If power is lost for over 24 hours the chronometer should be manually wound to keep it running...

Страница 30: ...f the chronometer will go into stand alone operation without ServoSync and its rate will be measured against the GPS Atomic reference the result will be printed on the Printer exactly as it would be a...

Страница 31: ...l Place the winding key onto the small square winding stem on the winding mechanism If the AutoWind mechanism has been removed the key goes directly into the hole surrounding the chronometer s winding...

Страница 32: ...igation using chronometer time and sextant according to normal navigational procedures Metal Cube Case Operation and Alternate Configurations o The Cube Case may be opened by pressing the upper latch...

Страница 33: ...nd insert the new spool with the paper tape running out the bottom of the spool o Close the front cover of the printer o Operation of the paper feed can be verified by pressing the small feed button o...

Страница 34: ...Figure 21 Gimbal Locking...

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