Monday, June 14, 2010

The Grand Grandfather Clock

The pendulum clock aka grandfather clock is a symbol of austerity that has stood the test of time. Literally. How its works is based on the fundamental principle of physics that a simple pendulum takes exactly the same amount of time for a 'swing' as long as the length and weight at the end are maintained constant. The swing is provided for by a set of gear trains inter meshed so as to provide the necessary torque to the pendulum. The gear trains are in turn moved by a set of weights which give just enough force so as to overcome the frictional forces between the tooth of the gears. The weights move steadily and slowly down wards. Once they reach the bottom, they have to be wound back up and the movement of the pendulum resumes!

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