"Brian Reay" wrote in message
...

One of the fundamental problems in time pieces is the decoupling of the
escapement from the oscillating element- not from the going train. The
issue
is ensuring that the oscillation period is not changed by the two
functions
of the escapement a) to provide the impulse b) to allow the going train to
advance at a rate controlled by the oscillator (eg the pendulum). If you
think about it, there is an analogy to Q here. In (a) I include the added
complications of ensuring an impulse largely constant despite variations
in
the state of the spring (if used).

Over the years many approaches have been tried - verge, deadbeat,
cylinder,
duplex, and (of course) the lever are the ones that spring to mind from my
watch repairing days. I suggest you get hold of deCarl(e)s book on the
escapement- I forget the title as it must be 25 years since I read it.

Incidently, for a 'joke' you seem to be putting in a lot of effort.

Regardless of where the energy comes from, and this is about energy, the
fundamental issues are the same:

1. Getting energy 'into' the pendulum to maintain the oscillation.

2. Minimising the interference of the escapement on the pendulum (or other
timing element) - also an energy matter.
(This could be helped by increasing the 'swing' but that then brings into
play other errors due to pendulum length variation with temperature.)

The above is true regardless of where the energy for the impulse comes
from.

Blimey, I think I'll stick to sundials, I can understand them, I suggest
Airy does the same.
--
;)
73 de Frank Turner-Smith G3VKI - mine's a pint.