GB2240652A - Instrument for displaying relative positions of astrological or astronomical features - Google Patents

Abstract

The instrument comprises a plurality of rotatable annular indicator wheels (2A-2H) each carrying a representation of a given astrological or astronomical feature, e.g. the sun, moon, planet or stars, and driven independently by stepper motors (6) under the control of a computer. The complicated movements of the astrological features relative to the earth can thus be calculated electronically and a simple drive mechanism used to move the indicator wheels (2A-2H). By updating the position of the indicator wheels (2A-2H) at regular intervals, e.g. each minute, the instrument functions as an astrological clock. <IMAGE>

Description

INSTRUMENT FOR DISPLAYING RELATIVE POSITIONS OF ASTROLOGICAL OR ASTRONOMICAL FEATURES This invention relates to an instrument for displaying the relative position of astrological or astronomical features at given times and in a preferred form relates to an astrological clock showing the geocentric positions of the sun, moon and planets.

The problem of reproducing the motions in the sky of the sun, moon and planets by means of a mechanism is one which has long fascinated man. For a long time, we have had a good understanding of the laws which govern the motions of the celestial bodies, and the motions are of a kind which are very difficult to reproduce exactly by purely mechanical means. Of the hundreds of astronomical or astrological clocks which have been made, most resort to certain simplifications. Instead of the actual motion of the planets and other bodies, their mean motion is reproduced. This means assuming that the planets move in circular orbits about the sun at a constant speed, rather than elliptical orbits at varying speeds.Secondly, all but the most complicated mechanisms show positions of the planets relative to the sun (their heliocentric positions), rather than their position as seen from the earth (geocentric positions). The motions as seen from the earth are more complicated, the features sometimes appearing to be going forwards and sometimes backwards, due to the earth's own motion about the sun. This is very difficult to reproduce by means of gears. In the Science Museum in London there is a reconstruction of a clock completed in 1364 by Giovanni Dondi of Padua, which attempts to reproduce the observed geocentric motions of the planets. Such a clock is at the very limits of what is practicable using a gear mechanism.

Apart from being difficult to construct, a purely mechanical astronomical clock is also difficult to use. In particular, it requires expert knowledge to set up the correct starting conditions for the clock.

To overcome these difficulties, the present invention provides an instrument for displaying the relative position of astrological or astronomical features at given times comprising: a plurality of moveable indicators, each indicating the position of an astrological or astronomical feature, e.g. the sun, moon, planet or stars; drive means for moving the indicators independently of each other; and control means for controlling the drive means to move the indicators in accordance with a pre-determined program.

Preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings and the subsidiary claims of the specification.

The invention will now be further described, merely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of an astrological clock according to a preferred embodiment of the invention with part of the front casing shown cut away; Figure 2 is a view from beneath one of the annular wheels of the clock showing its bearings and transmission means; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the clock through line a-a of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the clock through line b-b; and Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an electronic control circuit of the clock.

The following terms are -used to simplify the description of the instrument described: 'the 7 planets' - refers to the five visible planets plus the moon and the sun.

'the 10 planets' - refers to the 7 planets plus the invisible outer planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

'the Zodiac' - refers to the belt of stars, divided into 12 equal parts, through which the planets move as seen from the earth. At any moment, and at a given place on the earth's surface, half of the Zodiac is above the horizon. The point of the Zodiac which is just rising in the East is known as the 'ascendant', which thus depends on the latitude and longitude of the observer as well as the time.

The description of the instrument shown in the drawings is given with respect to the device when horizontal, e.g. when lying on a table so as to be viewed from above It will be appreciated, however, that the instrument may be used in other orientation and may, for instance, be hung on a wall in the same manner as a conventional clock.

Figure 1 shows a front view of the astrological clock as viewed by an observer. The clock comprises a casing 1, in which are housed a series of annular members, or indicator wheels 2, which have the same outer diameter but different inner diameters. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the indicator wheels 2 are mounted about a common axis passing through their centres with the wheel 2A of smallest inner diameter at the bottom and the wheel 2H of largest inner diameter at the top. The indicator wheels of smaller inner diameter can thus be seen through the centres of the wheels of larger diameter as shown in Figure 1.

Each of the indicator wheels 2 carries a symbol Or device representing an astrological feature, for instance: Wheel 2A represents the moon Wheel 2B represents Mercury Wheel 2C represents Venus Wheel 2D represents the sun Wheel 2E represents Mars Wheel 2F represents Jupiter Wheel 2G represents Saturn Wheel 2H represents the Zodiac The indicator wheels 2A-2G are provided with coloured balls indicating the position of the respective planets in the sky and the wheel 2H represents the Zodiac and is marked with the Zodiac symbols as shown in Figure 1.

With reference to marks provided on the casing 1 showing the ascendant and descendant positions, the wheel 2H indicates which part of the Zodiac is above the horizon.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each wheel 2 is supported at its outer edge by four bearing wheels 3 rotatably mounted on shafts 4 at the four corners of the clock. Each bearing wheel 3 has a V-shaped rim like a pulley-wheel so the outer edge of the indicator wheel 2 fits into the V and is thus supported by the bearing wheels 3. The bearing wheels 3 for the eight indicator wheels 2 are mounted on the same shafts 4 and the bearing wheels 3 are separated one from another by spacers 5 which also keep them in the right positions.

Each of the indicator wheels 2 is driven independently of the other wheels 2 by its own stepper motor 6. The eight stepper motors 6 are positioned around the ouside of the indicator wheels 2, and secured underneath to the casing 1. Motion is transmitted from motor 6 to an indicator wheel 2 by a shaft 7 which extends from the motor 6 to the respective indicator wheel 2, a gear wheel 8 with epicycloidal teeth fixed to the top of the shaft 7 and pins 9 fixed to the underside of the indicator wheel 2.

This is a type of constant-velocity gearing, well known to clockmakers. The pins 9 are set at equal intervals around an imaginary circle, known as the pitch circle, on each indicator wheel 2. The gearing ratio is selected on the basis of the desired accuracy of position of the indicator wheel 2 as compared with the step-size of the motor 6. Typically, each step of the motor 6 is 1/48 of a revolution, and for the wheel 2 to turn through 1 degree per step, the ratio must be 1:7 5.

The eight stepper motors 6 are controlled by electronic control means such as a simple micoprocessor-based computer 10 so that the indicator wheels 2 are moved in accordance with a pre-determined program. The computer 10 typically comprises a microprocessor unit (MPU), read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a system clock and interfacing circuits. The computer 10 receives inputs from an input module 11, comprising an LED display 12 and input keys 13, and from a minute timer circuit 14 and provides an output to each of the eight stepper motors M1 to M8.

On start-up, the user feeds the current time and place (i.e. latitude and longitude) into the computer 10 via the input module 11.

The computer 10 then enters a program which calculates the geocentric positions of the seven planets and Zodiac. The computer 10 then sends a sequence of pulses to the stepper motors M1 to M8 which results in each of the indicator wheels 2 being turned to the appropriate position. The computer 10 may be programmed to calculate the positions of the planets, etc., in accordance with mathematical functions or algorithms corresponding to the movement of the planets in space or by any other suitable method.

Henceforth, at one minute intervals, the minute timer circuit 14 sends a pulse to the computer 10, which updates its clock and calendar (held in RAM), so the computer 10 recalculates the planetary positions and actuates the stepper motors M1 to M8 as necessary. Other updating intervals may be used as required.

Alternatively at any time, the user can tell the computer 10, via the input module 11, to go temporarily into a reference mode. In this mode, an arbitrary time and place (e.g. the time and place of a person's birth) can be input, and the computer 10 will cause the wheels to turn to the correct positions for that time and place. At the end of the reference session, the computer 10 can then be returned to the clock mode.

In a simpler version of the instrument (not shown), the computer 10 is only programmed with information to calculate the positions of the planets with respect to a given location, e.g. London, so a user only has to enter the time for which the display is required.

From the above description it will be seen that the planetary indicator wheels 2 are independently controlled by the computer 10. The mechanical parts of the clock are kept simple and the complicated movements of the indicator wheels 2 controlled electronically in accordance with a program which calculates the geocentric positions of the planets as accurately as is required, taking account of non-circular orbits and other irregularities.

Consequently, the indication of the clock closely resembles both what the user would see if he looked at the sky, and the representation, known as a 'horoscope chart', commonly used by professional astrologers. In an alternative arrangement (not shown), the instrument may be arranged to display the heliocentric positions of the various features.

The clock is easy to start up and use by simply entering the correct time and place information and may also be used as a reference instrument. Any time and place can be input into the computer 10, whereupon the clock will indicate the planetary configuration seen at that time and place, just as easily as the currently observed configuration.

If desired, the programmable control means may be arranged to be activated by a remote control device in a similar manner to known remote control devices, e.g. as used with television and video recorders.

A number of modifications and changes can be made to the instrument described above whilst still deriving the benefits of independent control of the planetary indicator wheels.

Instead of the eight stepper motors 6, a single motor may be used with a digitally controlled 'gear-box' for switching transmission from one indicator wheel 2 to another.

The transmission from the stepper motors 6 to the indicator wheels 2 may be achieved in other ways, eg with conventional cogs instead of the pins 9.

Instead of using bearing wheels 3, the indicator wheels 2 could be supported by grooves in three or more fixed supports. Alternatively, the indicator wheels 2 could be supported on a central shaft instead of external bearings.

The number of indicator wheels 2 can be decreased (or more likely increased), e.g. to eleven (to include the three outer planets), and further indicator wheels may be used if it is desired to include details such as the position of the nodes of the moon's orbit, various asteroids, the midheaven and imum coeli, etc.

A wide range of markings and representations can be used on the indicator wheels 2 and the wheels may be opaque or transparent. With transparent wheels 2, it is easier to read the positions of the planets accurately from the clock.

A further variation is to keep the Zodiac wheel 2H fixed and to rotate an indicator representing the earth's horizon instead. An advantage of this arrangement is that less movement of the indicator wheels is required since the planets (except the moon) move approximately 1 degree or less each day relative to the Zodiac whereas they move 360 degrees each day relative to the horizon.

Instead of indicator wheels, any other movable indicator capable of indicating the relative positions of astrological or astronomical features can be used with each indicator being driven independently in the manner described.

Claims (11)

1. An instrument for displaying the relative position of astrological or astronomical features at given times comprising: a plurality of moveable indicators, each indicating the position of an astrological or astronomical feature, e.g. the sun, moon, planet or stars; drive means for moving the indicators independently of each other; and control means for controlling the drive means to move the indicators in accordance with a pre-determined program.

2. An instrument as claimed in claim 1 in which the control means comprises a micoprocessor programmed to control movement of the indicators in accordance with mathematical functions or algorithms corresponding to the movement of the respective features in space.

3. An instrument as claimed in claim 2 arranged to function as an astrological or astronomical clock by updating the position of the indicators at regular entervals, e.g. every minute.

4. An instrument as claimed in claim 3 arranged to display the position of the said features relative to the earth with the microprocessor programmed to take account of one or more of the known irregularities in the movement of the repective features as observed from the earth.

5. An instrument as claimed in claim 4 arranged to display the positions of the said features in dependence upon a given position, ie latitude and longitude, as well as the given time.

6. An instrument as claimed in any preceding claim in which the drive means comprises one or more stepper motors.

7. An instrument as claimed in claim 6 in which each of the indicators which is to be moved is provided with a respective stepper motor.

8. An instrument as claimed in any preceding claim in which each indicator comprises an annular member carrying a symbol or device indicating the position of the respective feature, the annular members being of different inner diameters and mounted for rotation about a common axis so the members of smaller inner diameter can be seen through the centres of the members of larger inner diameter.

9. An instrument as claimed in claim 8 which each annular member is rotatably supported between three or more bearing wheels engaging the outer edge of the member.

10. An instrument as claimed in claims 7, 8 and 9 in which motion is transmitted from each stepper motor to the respective annular member by a gear on the stepper motor which engages with a gear or other means positioned around the annular member.

11. An instrument for displaying the relative position of astrological or astronomical features at given times substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.