Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Reviewing fluidic computers
Thinking about the natural basis of calculus reminded me of the Lukyanov fluidic computer, which reminded me that I've featured several fluidic computers this year.
First and most elegant, the Willson automatic buoy. Willson used nothing but natural forces, placed in constant and elegant equipoise. Water pressure counterbalanced acetylene pressure, with the rate of change supplied by combustion.
Next was the Dalen sun valve, using the heat of sunlight to control the flow of acetylene.
Willson and Dalen were practically useful and lifesaving beacons, tied to the Trinity House theme. They represented the original meaning of artificial intelligence, a self-sustaining machine with lifelike properties helping to solve human problems.
The most beautiful and mysterious is the Ridhwan water clock, which used a true fluidic computer to control a series of doors and bells and birds and pointers and lamps.
A medieval night clock used the combustion of oil by a flame versus gravity to count hours and signal end of work, without any mechanism at all.
The Gabry flame clock used combustion versus oil pressure to drive a mechanical pointer.
The Tiffereau water clock used water flow in equipoise to 'tick' a full-fledged clock escapement.
And finally the Lukyanov, a genuine analog computer using nothing but water flow for logic and calculation.
All of these devices are infinitely closer to the natural use of calculus than the lookup tables in books or silicon.
Labels: Equipoise, Patient things, Real World Math, Trinity House
¶ 4:22 AM
