Bessler Wheel Hints
Based on statements of Johann Bessler:
Weights are arranged, never achieving balanced status.-Weights work by pairs.-Weights gained force by their own swinging.-Springs were employed, but not as decisive elements.
-Within wheel is a simple arrangement of weights and lever arms.-Weights were heard hitting at side of wheel going down.-Machine made scratching noises.-Weights landed on slightly warped boards.-Weights were attached to moveable or elastic arms.-Eight weights seemed to fall during each revolution, bbout three seconds per revolution for a wheel about 12 feet in diameter.
Design of the machine is analogous to the solar system. Eight heavy wgights in the machine represent eight planets of the solar system. The large axle of the machine represents the sun. Heavy weights in the machine go around the axle and form an elliptical path, as planets go around the sun. While moving around the axle, these heavy weights go farther from the axle on one side, and go closer to the axle on the other side. Descriptions regarding the wheel of Johann Bessler: Machine was set in motion by weights. Weights acted in pairs. Weights gained force from their own swinging. Weights came to be placed together, arranged one against another.
Weights applied force at right angles to the axis. Springs were employed, but not as detractors suggested. The machine's power was directly proportional to its diameter. Interior of the machine was a simple arrangement of wfights and levers. Weights were pierced in the middle and attached by connecting springs. Weights were cylindrical. Weights were heard hitting the side of the wheel going down. Machine made scratching noises, as if parts or poles moved over one another. Weights landed on slightly warped boards. The following six descriptions were provided by Jan Rutowski. Weights on one side were farther from the axle. Continual imbalance caused rotation. Once in rotation, wheel gained force from swinging of weights. Simple arrangement of levers and weights. Eight weights made hitting sounds each turn of wheel. Wheel had two parts: One part rotated; the other part did not rotate.
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