Hey Steve,
I just discovered your channel, and all of your projects look very cool. I just started looking into clocks and escapements about a month ago. Would it be possible for me to get the files for your original prototype of the Coup Perdu escapement? I am a high school student participating in Science Olympiad and one of my events requires the use of a mechanical timekeeping device(short running ~3min~). An event is coming up shortly with another school and I do not think I will be able to design and print a working escapement in time. I have some experience with CAD software, but this will be the first time that I attempt to design gears and interlocking parts. Also, I am curious, what are your thoughts/are you experimenting on Galileo Escapements?
Alright, thanks for the advice. Can I drop by later if I have any questions?
Hi Eric,
I think the whole point of the Science Olympiad is to come up with an idea, analyze different possibilities, do some calculations, run experiments, and finally build a working model. Keep in mind that clocks and escapements have been designed for hundreds of years using compasses and rulers. There are plenty of online books with complete descriptions of the methodologies used. Unless CAD is a requirement, check out some of the other online sources.
A Galileo escapement spends a very large portion of the cycle pushing the pendulum. This should make it relatively easy to get it working by simply adding more weight. One direction of the pendulum is free swinging. This is good for allowing the pendulum length to set the rate. The other swing direction is slowed by the escapement pushing on it. The amount of drive weight will have an effect on the rate. A Galileo escapement is a reasonably good escapement.
A deadbeat escapement is free swinging in both directions, but a bit more work to get it fine-tuned. A Graham anchor escapement is not free swinging in either direction. It is super easy to get it to work, but the rate will heavily depend on the drive weight. A Galileo escapement is somewhere between a deadbeat and an anchor escapement. The pendulum is free swinging in one direction, and it should be reasonably easy to get it working.
Steve