Mechanical Clock Escapement has Gravity-regulated Controlled Marble releases - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2025, 09:37:27 am
content: Hello:Tired of the DODGY section, but this project relates, to the Mechanical Computer system(s) discussed there.Yes, uh huh, I've known about Charles Babbage although today I did a Google on how he had timed the hand crank turns, to sync and generally activate all the subsystem portions.Haven't delved into the details, but there were aspects, of a particular calculation that activate even columns and then odd columns in order to reduce the forces needed, over a total calculation.My focus had more modern systems to emulate, such as the 4-bit micro-processors regulated by crystal accuracy clocks.Eventually, I emphasized 10 state digital, but also did, 8051 style emulation. Needed was a controlled release 'marble clock' (I used ball bearings). Plus there was required doing 4 'lane' width releases, to then fall through the flip-flop emulating mechanisms.A very enjoyable, but also exacting design and construction produced a stand-alone module for dispensing at once per second. For the Escapement, first there was a wheel having dimpled carrier pockets, with 8 stations around a little cylinder. Readers can imagine, some sort of rachet would allow a bit of turning, for releases each second (start-stop motion).Upon release (and I'll get to the time regulation), all 4 balls (or marbles) constituted a microprocessor 'clock' for the rest of the 4-bit system, in analogy to electronic pulses. The 4 lanes kept quite a bit of turning force (turning torque), and the crude, amateur supply ramp box was produced by machining some old discarded tape cassette cases.A fifth ball travel lane provided the 1 second clock period regulation.Specially regulated, that dispenser cylinder would be allowed to turn each time a falling ball struck a spoon-like paddle; as a mechanical pulse commanding release via one discrete motion of the ratchet cylinder,...or should say one single active push on the rachet release lever, paddle driven.The really cool part is that each next release action can be timed, or rather can be regulated, by that fifth ball or marble's time to fall a set distance...not totally the only delay, but enough to stabilize the clock's dispensing action, to a predictable 1.25 seconds per.(Would be slower, on Mars, having weaker gravity acceleration.)Of course, space travelers would have to use other means, if they wish to go mechanical or to the nano-scale with non-electronic calculators !

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2025, 09:48:28 am
content: Accuracy requirements, on the regulated dispensing, are moderate for the machining aspects. The real problems arise from the delicate nature, actually, where a single 1/4 inch ball bearing has very little impact force, for the lever push activations. (Better to use 3/8 inch or approximate 1 cm ball bearings, for each discrete action / rotation.)Another construction and operation headache is occuring when a falling ball gets into a bounce mode, or also when a particular mode of falling produces a rotation around an inner surface, while the ball induced a resonant kind of hovering delay...that nasty effect can cause much delay (2.5 seconds, sometimes ).Oh well...I'm not an M.E. !

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2025, 10:24:29 am
content: Oxford Science Museum, in the U.K. sounds like a very interesting place to visit, and study the various (unfinished) plans and components of Babbage's designs. I believe the 'timing' issues were more along the lines of moving parts needing synchronous coordination, rather than for timing in some coded 'loop' as we think of that today.A person would turn a hand crank in some versions.There even had to be special measures, to prevent machine jam-ups, a semi-comical situation, if compared to modern computer operators or programmers. Could you imagine the humorous expletives issued, when 'gear #716' jams yet again, in a rack of calculating equipment.(Maybe I could claim to be developing this stuff, in my garage, a.la. Apple's colorful history, when first starting...)The system types can be different, but a ball dispenser clock is useful as 'moving pulse' emulation means. Maybe some special computer or micro-processor researchers could use mechanical logic, while exploring format options, skipping the whole process of IC development.Also, might be valuable if I try, to contact folks at the Oxford museum, as maybe they have a specialist, doing the kinds of research related!

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2025, 04:49:24 pm
content: One advantage of this CPU system clock, is that it is a fully self-contained unit, needing little other explanations regarding system formats, etc.The diagram omits a feeder section up top, and other details, for clarity, showing the ramp having 5 lanes for marble supply to the dimpled cylinder. Initially, I used about 8 inches for the free-fall to the actuating lever.Each impact on the actuator lever will release the cylinder rachet briefly, for a 45° (degrees) rotation, to the next stop. Rachet then engaged holding the cylinder stationary, until the following cycle.Lots of attention needed, to avoid jam-ups and 'sticky' parts.

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2025, 05:08:05 pm
content: This view of the ball carrying cylinder shows the half-spherical dimples that hold each individual ball, for the journey starting at the top and around going approx. 110° (degrees) before falling out.The 5 little funnels were actually a big hassle to design, as there needs to be little variation in the timing relations, between the marbles as a set, for proper operation. (Don't forget...this is a computer component so it has to be consistent!). Those little funnels were more trouble to design than you might think, initially.

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2025, 05:17:08 pm
content: The ultimate quest, for a robust (and interesting) design, is to create a release cylinder that does not do the start-stop motion, but rather that simply rotates, at a precise rate. That way makes it easy to add mass for stable operation. That feature gets better when higher rotation speeds, and overall microprocessor clock rates get faster.Beyond a few hz, the materials used will need to be stronger, than the thin plastic and epoxy I've used,...(like perhaps stainless steel using micro welds.)- - - Rick B.

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2025, 03:19:01 am
content: Each of the five lanes resembles this diagram, where the goal is to have the cylinder do a start, rotate 45 ° (degrees) and do the controlled release, into free-fall ending up in conduits, for the system CPU clock (and for triggering the next increment of 45°).This side view also showing the bearing, which has a typical 1/4 inch shaft mounting in the center of the cylinder.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2025, 03:42:13 am
content: Hmmm. I believe this thread fits the definition of "write only" (except for my one read).

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2025, 04:35:58 am
content: What's your question ? Do you know that people eventually don't give a rise, about your attitude ? Some folks, like maybe your little, helpless brother, eventually stop getting annoyed, which seems to be your goal.I'm going to, try to get your ass banned. There's folks around the world witnessing this.Rick B.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2025, 04:40:05 am
content: Quote from: RJSV on September 26, 2025, 04:35:58 amGood. Rotsa ruck with that. Maybe it'll reduce the amount of word-salad spewage coming from you here.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 26, 2025, 04:46:48 am
content: What's the drama? Why am I getting moderator reports for this thread?

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2025, 05:04:25 am
content: Thanks, I'm right now getting my contact info, will have to PM my contact, as my Yahoo email died along with smart phone.You can see this guy's taunt and likely he will get really aggressive with the come-backs .Petty taunt, if you read back a couple of posts, and in isolation not something big. But he doesn't stop, and a taunt like that is part of a whole disrupting attitude. Quickly, he will escalate to a 'f you' that isn't of value. Later (I guess) I can get you a list, if needed.With a relocation, and dead phone(s), I'll need phone chat, if you please. I know about the "just ignore him" dynamic. Part of this is the speed at which he comes back, in your face, if you dare tell him to cool it, (or at least wait a bit on his side).Is there a bigger goal, to disrupt the EEVBLOG staff and daily functions ?

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 26, 2025, 05:09:57 am
content: Right, whilst I get what you're saying, I don't follow everything Analog Kid posts, so I can't comment one way or another.But this begs the question: Who cares? This is the internet, you're going to get antagonistic pricks, or trolls that like to stir shit everywhere. The more you respond and get wound up, the more it fuels people like that (generally speaking, not saying Analog Kidisthat type of person, he might be or he might not be).Quote from: Analog Kid on September 26, 2025, 03:42:13 amYes, that was cheeky, but is it worthy of being deleted or resulting in a ban? No, I don't think so. I don't think Dave would want EEVblog to be known as the forum that bans uses simply because they were jerky and hurt someone's feelings.Can't we all just get along (or if you can't, just keep away from each other)?

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2025, 06:02:35 am
content: Ah, predictable, but I get your point, halcyon. I have some people in the room here that tuned in a bit, understanding the petty nature.Perhaps a bit like PROM night, and no date. But then an associate wants to taunt you, it's a thing of not getting attention...except the aggressive red-headed punk who wants to point out the flaws.If you get the analogy. Some here don't follow my sentence structure, well.I just question the motivation, but I guess many members will post replies that are worthless. Maybe I can start harassing him, for kicks, (,or whatever sick gratification he gets).Would absolutely LOVE, to read the PM dialog that took place, when you tried to check out the scene, (by asking his side), as he is clever and likely been here before!Ha, some 'Spell Checker's. harassment ! (,Is that a racial thing ?)

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2025, 06:37:02 am
content: Filling in the description, around the edges, the mechanism to feed this controlled release clock can be variable, but I've always used a conveyor belt, resembling an escalator.Jam-ups and lack of adequate activation forces are far more vexing, than the micro-processor stuff, with BUS and data word things not so frustrating!I could, (almost) just have left out this regulated timer for the clock cycling, and just used the (adjusted) ball raising 'escalator' to bring up each ball and drop it into a top starting ramp. The first clocks had a simple pendulum style of regulation.

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2025, 06:51:32 am
content: Taking this information, plus the main body of uP information appearing in the DODGY section, a simpler music sequencer can be built, although a reader would need to understand several of the data BUS components, (especially the BUS selector).Counting through a play list, of musical notes, is easy, as to count is a simple read, (state) with each state output having conduit running down to latch the next (counting up) state. So, you run a transparent hose or conduit, from, say #7 state output, down to the #8 state setting input.But, when sequencing through a simple song, that read I just mentioned would be performed twice...with the first read leading to dropping a ball, or

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2025, 06:57:36 am
content: (sorry)Play the note, at #7 step, by connecting hose or conduit down to a crude xelephone or even a string to sound. This way a sequence of single notes, in a tune, will play. Not too fast or sophisticated, but enough sound for an interesting DEMO, of capabilities.Note that I just described the single-signal formats, but could also do this with 4-bit binary coded system components, playing chords on a TOY (or professional) Xelephone.That's also a good classroom attention-getter.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 26, 2025, 08:12:03 am
content: Quote from: Halcyon on September 26, 2025, 04:46:48 amI'm like

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 26, 2025, 08:14:55 am
content: Quote from: RJSV on September 26, 2025, 05:04:25 amGo to this link and add him to your Ignore User list, you won't see his posts again.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/profile/?area=lists;sa=ignoreQuoteThat happens when people report stuff that doesn't need to be reported.

author: mtwieg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2025, 11:48:29 am
content: Requesting change of thread title to: Mechanical Clock Escapement has Gravity-regulated ControlledMarble releasesshitposts