.....as an easy starting point,for not difficult experiments,if you take a look at the mechanical counter weighted metronome.There are quite enough data on net...
All that you need :
-to make it greater and greater
-to settle it turning(so,not swinging...)
-to imagine a procedure,so the counter weight moves to and fro
-to adjust the arrangement for a self-turning motion,due to gravity
I wish you success!
All the Bests! / Alex
@iacob alex
That is an interesting thought.
...at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railroad_switch ...this time,a simple suggestion for the point regarding,as I said in the first message..."to imagine a procedure,so the counter weight moves to and fro".
Alan,if "with out a dream,there can be no vision",as you post ...in my opinion,with this railroad switching animation( a pendular interplay,easy imaginable in gravity),anybody can "dream" so to have a "vision".
So,you have a possible step,the next is yours.
Mechanical switching(the "classical " long arm -short arm) of a mass ,seems to be the only one problem of this topic.
Remind that the railroad mechanics is the best human experience regarding mechanical switching.
I favor to explain and sketch my design,with the help of existing things,so to open a large gate for yours...
All the Bests! / Alex
...as a suggestion , so to play variable leverage ( short arm switching as a long arm ) , if you take into consideration a trebuchet :
www.tutelman.com/golf/design/pix/swing_trebanim.gif (http://www.tutelman.com/golf/design/pix/swing_trebanim.gif)
...playing as a self-running counterweight gravity machine.
In this manner , you can name it as you like...if you keep the throwing motion "inside"...
Al_ex
.....a simple manner to a possible continuous motion , due to gravity unbalance , if we start with :
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/metronome-granger.html (http://fineartamerica.com/featured/metronome-granger.html)
...and we "reshape" the swinging motion of a metronome , into a turning movement , as at :
http://www.geocities.ws/iacob_alex/Some_Drafts/text047.jpg (http://www.geocities.ws/iacob_alex/Some_Drafts/text047.jpg)
As a matter of fact , we play variable leverage , with :
-fulcrum
-lever ( C / two-spokes "wheel" )
-stabile/fixed mass ( A / yellow bob )
-mobile/sliding , rotating mass ( A / red bob )
You can make a connection with the starting message of this topic ( August , 16 ,2008 ).
Al_ex