Posted by John Collins (194.164.38.177) on June 17, 2003 at 12:06:01:
In Reply to: Question for Mr. Collins posted by Jason on June 17, 2003 at 09:09:59:
: John,
: I've been considering the idea of two opposing weights being pulled into the center towards tha axel by a spring, the bow twangs. Is this an idea you have worked on before?
Hi Mike,
It's an interesting idea although I'm not sure I can see where you would use a spring. The opposing weights could be working against each other and causing the CoG to wobble beneficially. I'll think some more and come back on this.
I'm not personally convinced that there is a need for a spring. I know that the evidence points to the use of a spring i.e. his comment about springs not being used in the way we might think, and the "bow twangs" etc, but reading between the lines (and probably getting it wrong) I think the spring is a part he used, not because it was essential to the working, but because it was a useful tool in keeping things moving without for instance too much play in the parts.
The reference to the bow twanging might just describe a sudden movement due to gravity, but then again I may be wrong.
JC