Abstract:
An astronomical clock, comprising a first and second celestial body representations, a displacement mechanism operatively connected to the second celestial body representation, the displacement mechanism displacing the second celestial body representation around the first celestial body representation along an ellipsoidal trajectory an a first set of time scale indicators positioned along the ellipsoid trajectory. The displacement mechanism displaces the second celestial body representation around the first celestial body representation at a speed proportional to the revolution of the second celestial body around the first celestial body, the position of the second celestial body representation with respect to the first set of time scale indicators indicating a time period corresponding to the positioning of the second celestial body.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an astronomical clock. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Astronomical clocks are apparatuses that show, in addition to the time of day, astronomical information. This may include the location of the sun and moon in the sky, the age and phase of the moon, the position of the sun on the ecliptic and the current zodiac sign, the sidereal time, and other astronomical data such as the moon&#39;s nodes (for indicating eclipses) or a rotating star map. Astronomical clocks usually represent the solar system using the geocentric model. The center of a dial marked with a disc or sphere representing the earth, located at the center of the solar system. The sun is often represented by a golden sphere, shown rotating around the earth once a day around a  24  hour analog dial. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an astronomical clock, comprising:
       a first and second celestial body representations;   a displacement mechanism operatively connected to the first and second celestial body representations, the displacement mechanism displacing the second celestial body representation around the first celestial body representation along an ellipsoidal trajectory; and   a first set of time scale indicators positioned along the ellipsoid trajectory;
 
wherein the displacement mechanism displaces the second celestial body representation around the first celestial body representation at a speed proportional to the revolution of the second celestial body around the first celestial body, the position of the second celestial body representation with respect to the first set of time scale indicators indicating a time period corresponding to the positioning of the second celestial body.
       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0007]    Embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of the astronomical clock in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the astronomical clock of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the astronomical clock along axis III-III of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  shows an example of a step motor assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Generally stated, the non-limitative illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides an astronomical clock that gives the time, day, month and season using a synchronized mechanical simulation of the earth revolving around the sun. The astronomical clock can be used as both an informational tool and a work of art in public spaces such as airports, convention centers and museums, and may also be used as an educational tool. 
         [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a top plan view of the astronomical clock  10  which comprises two concentric circular plateaus, a fixed plateau  12  and an adjustable plateau  16  separated by a slot  22 . The fixed plateau  12  is separated in four zones  14  representing the four seasons. Optionally, the fixed plateau  12  may have further zones, for example twelve zones representing the signs of the zodiac (not shown). The adjustable plateau  16  is separated in twelve zones  18  representing the twelve months and its internal circumference  20  marked with the days for each month. The adjustable plateau  16  can be automatically, using an adjustment mechanism, or manually adjusted every four years in order to account for the bissextile years of our calendar. Above the center of the fixed plateau  12 , i.e. the center of the astronomical clock  10 , is positioned a luminous sphere  24  representing the sun around which revolves another sphere  26  representing the earth. 
         [0014]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the earth sphere  26  is connected to a displacement mechanism in the form of a step motor assembly  34  via a support member  30  passing through the slot  22  between the fixed  12  and adjustable  16  plateaus. A cursor  28  (best seen in  FIG. 1 ) is attached to the support member  30  in order to indicate the day, month and season associated with the position of the earth sphere  26  on the astronomical clock  10  by pointing at corresponding days and zones representative of the month and season. The earth sphere  26  is pivotally connected to the support member  30  so as to allow it to revolve  360  degrees around its central axis which is inclined by about  23  degrees to represent the inclination of the earth. 
         [0015]    The step motor assembly  34  is movably engaged to a pair of rails  32   a  and  32   b  through wheels  36   a  and  36   b,  respectively. The rails  32   a,    32   b,  follow the slot  22  so as to move the earth sphere  26  around the sun sphere  24  to simulate, in real time, the movement of the earth around the sun. The astronomical clock  10  further comprises a control panel  38  operating a controller  39  in order to, for example, set the astronomical clock  10  to a specific time/date, set the speed of the astronomical clock  10 , adjust illumination settings, etc., and is supported by a base formed by, for example, a plurality of pillars  40 . The pillars  40  may be purely functional or may optionally be stylistically designed to represent, for example, the months, the signs of the zodiac or any other desired representation. The internal workings of the astronomical clock  10 , e.g. rails  32   a,    32   b  and step motor assembly  34 , may be left visible or hidden by some form of body work. 
         [0016]    In an alternative embodiment, the rails  32   a,    32   b  and step motor assembly  34  may be replaced with another form of mechanism, for example a rotating plateau actuated by an hydraulic system. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown an example of a step motor assembly  34  including wheels  36   a  and  36   b  connected to an electrical motor  42  through transmission  44 . 
         [0018]    The earth sphere  26  may be made, for example, of glass with a light source within and a movable parabolic dark screen on its inner surface, the screen being configured and connected to the earth sphere  26  and/or support member  30  so as to remain on a side opposed to the sun sphere  24  in order to simulate nighttime. The earth sphere  26  also includes an actuator, for example an electric motor (not shown), that rotates the earth sphere  26  around its axis to simulate, in real time, the rotation of the earth. An indicator, for example a flashing led or other source of light, indicates the position of the astronomical clock  10  on the earth. In an alternative embodiment a plurality of indicators, for example a matrix of led&#39;s, may be used to indicate the present location of the astronomical clock, locations of monuments, natural disasters, other astronomical clocks, a sponsor&#39;s locations, etc. In another alternative embodiment, the actuator used to rotate the earth sphere  26  may be located on the support member  30  or on the step motor assembly  34 . 
         [0019]    In a further alternative embodiment, the earth sphere  26  and/or sun sphere  24  may be in the form of a sphere with projectors projecting the image of the celestial body, for example a digital video globe. It is to be understood that the earth and sun may be replaced with other celestial bodies. It is also to be understood that in the case where a digital video globe is used, the movable parabolic dark screen, actuator and indicators may be replaced by video images. 
         [0020]    The controller  39 , which is operated by the control panel  38  and, optionally, by a remote controller or computer through a remote access interface such as, for example, an Internet connection, manages and synchronizes the movements of the various components of the astronomical clock  10  such as, for example, the displacement mechanism, the actuator and, optionally, the adjustment mechanism. More specifically, the control system insures that the earth sphere  26  revolves around the sun such that the cursor  28  attached to the support member  30  indicates the correct day, month and season, that a complete revolution of the earth sphere  26  takes  24  hours and, optionally, that the movable parabolic dark screen of the earth sphere  26  remains on the side opposed to the sun sphere  24  in order to simulate nighttime. In the alternative embodiment where the earth sphere  26  includes a plurality of indicators, the control system may also control the selective activation of the indicators in response to events or to provide information. 
         [0021]    Complementary to the astronomical clock  10 , models of monuments or buildings may be disposed around, or in a room adjacent, the astronomical clock  10  and provided with a lighting system controlled by the control system of the astronomical clock  10  so as to simulate the real-life illumination of each monument or building in accordance with the time, day and month indicated by the astronomical clock  10 . Furthermore, the ceiling where the astronomical clock  10  is located, or an adjacent room containing the models of monuments or buildings, may be provided with a lighting system, such as a matrix of led&#39;s, controlled by the control system of the astronomical clock  10  so as to simulate the real-life celestial vault in accordance with the time, day and month indicated by the astronomical clock  10 . 
         [0022]    In an alternative embodiment of the astrological clock the sun and earth may be replaced by other celestial bodies. In another alternative embodiment other planets and/or moons may be added to the astronomical clock. In a further alternative embodiment the astronomical clock may represent a different galaxy or represent different configurations of celestial bodies. It is to be understood that in the various alternative embodiments the days, months and seasons will be adjusted or replaced with appropriate time measurement units or time scale divisions/indicators depending on the celestial bodies depicted. 
         [0023]    Although the present invention has been described by way of particular embodiments and examples thereof, it should be noted that it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that modifications may be applied to the present particular embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention.