PSN-L Email List Message

Subject: Re: Torsion spring
From: "Geoffrey" gmvoeth@...........
Date: Mon, 21 May 2007 00:27:02 -0700


The one major problem that I would think of is temperature changes.

I have been thinking that possibly a 5# mass with a specific gravity
of between 1.05 and 1.1 to be suspended by vertical extemsion
springs extended 10 to 12 inches might also make a sensor that
would also be damped but the idea of temp changes really bother me
about any new ideas. It takes the experience of a mechanical engineer
to really understand how these things might behave
before spending money on these ideas.

You might hold temp constant with one of these new fangled
PN junction heat transfer jobbies with a pid loop diode temp sensor.

I think experimentation takes too much money
Id rather eat than try things I am certain others have
already tried but are keeping things secret.

Good luck if you try this spring idea out and please keep us all posted
on your results.

Whatever you try use a balanced system so the temp effects will somewhat null out.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "tchannel" 
To: 
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 08:38
Subject: Torsion spring


Hi All, First thing, is it just me or is it quiet, "too quiet"?  Today is the 11th day on my calendar since I recorded an 
earthquake.  My average, here, is about 2 per week.  I am overdue, so I will be watching closely today and tomorrow.

On a different issue:  I have been restoring old mantle clock.  Recently a 400 day Anniversary clock.  It uses a "torsion 
spring".........I know very little about clocks, but this is an interesting concept.  A long thin, flat spring wire, is twisted 
slightly, and uses little energy.  The result is a very long running clock train.
Has anyone tried to use this concept for a seismometer?   Just thinking, the period might be long.  On the clock I think the spring 
rotates about once every 4 secs in each direction.   Could a long spring, something like a band-saw blade, but without teeth, be un 
wrapped and configured to move a horizontal arm, left and right, with a long period of approx. 20 seconds.
Just wondering if this has been tried.


"Watch your helicorders"
Ted 

__________________________________________________________

Public Seismic Network Mailing List (PSN-L)


[ Top ] [ Back ] [ Home Page ]