Insionn

 

( Gaelic: Mechanical time telling device)

 

I have two favorite escapements. Grasshoppers are first on my list by virtue of their geometry and animation. A close second is the Gravity escapement as used here in Insionn.

 

This work was created for a Kinetic Art show at a UK venue. Possibly the most dramatic kinetic work I’ve made to date it features programmable LED lighting and over the top escapement actions which are large enough to appreciate visually.  I also slowed down the action of the escapement with large peacock feathers and a slow beating pendulum.  In Insionn I deviated from the typical pattern of Gravity escapement by arranging the arms upside down. 

 

Typically these types of escapements are used in very large tower clocks. Tower clocks need a significant amount of power to turn large hands and deal with weather conditions. If that same power were allowed to impulse the pendulum it would adversely affect its timekeeping properties. The gravity escapement is arranged in such a way that this excessive power is used only to reset impulse arms either side of the pendulum. When the arms are released by the escapement, they impulse the pendulum and keep it in motion. This igneous arrangement was invented by Edmund Beckett Dennison around 1850 and used in his design of the clock at Westminster (Big Ben).  

 

Technical Details: Gravity escapement, Automatic winding, LED lighting. Peacock  feathers. Acrylic, copper, brass and aluminum. Quartz mechanism.   

Overall Dimensions:  IN: 32W 11D 80H CM: 84W 28D 200H