Winder/Weight thoughts

I definitely like the idea of the winding drum behind the Minute wheel, but do not want an extra gear to wind the weight up - so a small Winding weight seems to be the simple answer.  There is also a small advantage in having the drum near the back-plate with less strain on the axle, although there must be clearance for the weights against the wall. After a bit of head scratching, I think I've found the perfect solution to this problem which will allow me to place the Drum in front or behind the Minute wheel and have a winding weight instead of a handle.  However the Handle is a much neater solution for this minimal design, but I want the option of being able to place the drum anywhere. I'm sure this idea has been used before, but I do not know if it has a name - I will call it the Leverage-Pulley system.  It also has the advantage that I can have a longer drop than a two-fall compound pulley, slightly less friction and also easily increase the running time (if necessary) without adding new elements (assuming the driving weight increase can be supported).  I could omit or keep the Hour wheel and have it turn clockwise without any crossing strings.  My only concern is why I have not seen the idea used before - perhaps I'm missing something. While I'm thinking about the pulley system, I wonder what difference it will make to the accuracy of the clock if the string winds on top of itself?  Assuming that the string is around 1mm in diameter, then it will need a 1 inch drum depth, for 24 hours running, to ensure that it does not do this.  If the drum diameter is 1 inches, then this would mean a 8% change in weight force if we allow the string to wind on itself - does that matter? I've also noticed that I can vary the design in 5, not 4, angles - so lets have another bash at the overall layout and allow the second wheel to be non-vertical relative to the crown wheel.  As this is a special clock it seems appropriate to have an angle of 42 degrees, as that is the answer to everything!

I could keep the hour wheel, but with my restricted width, I think it has to go. Notice that by angling the crown shaft, the eye seems to flow better towards the foliot in a gentle uplifting curve. I feel the 8 inch pulley seems a little big and unbalances the design - so the 6 or perhaps even a 5 inch version will give a better balance.  I also have the opportunity of making it a 48+ hour winder mechanism - we will have to see.

Next page Content Menu

 

.