Rocker oscillator time bases

Since the invention of the pendulum clock by Christiaan Huygens in 1657, precision timekeepers have been regulated by oscillators. Although the pendulum is not an isochronous oscillator, its introduction as a time basis for clock regulation led to a significant increase in accuracy. Indeed, numerous clocks were subsequently retrofitted with pendulums to replace the foliot time base. Oscillators have defined revolutions in accuracy, as seen by the terms quartz watch and atomic clock. Observation of a rocking chair and its mathematical modelling shows that it provides oscillatory motion and can therefore theoretically be used as a clock time base. This led to the study, design, and fabrication of a rocker oscillator for the regulation of a table clock. The demonstrator consists of a rocker oscillator designed to replace the original pendulum of a commercial precision table clock. Two identical clocks were used to compare the operation of the modified clock with that of the original one. The rocker oscillator was dimensioned so that its natural frequency as well as its quality factor fit those of the original pendulum. The performance of both clocks was then the subject of an experimental study. This project serves as a demonstration of how new oscillators can be retrofitted to existing timekeepers.