Showing papers on "Mechanical amplifier published in 1955"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors considered combinations of frictionless mechanical amplifiers arranged in a cycle so that the amplified signal passes around through an endless chain of such systems the output of the last system being fed into the first.
Abstract: 1. Summary. This paper considers combinations of frictionless mechanical amplifiers arranged in a cycle so that the amplified signal passes around through an endless chain of such systems the output of the last system being fed into the first. It appears that while each amplifier may be reversible in the absence of friction, the effect of the combination is such that the signal would be unable to pass around the cycle indefinitely, using the same energy over and over again. It is felt that the assumptions upon which this cycle is based are related to some of the conditions met with in consideration of open thermodynamic systems such as heat engines and living organisms when in finite environments. 2. Discussion. The similarity between communication and thermodynamic systems has been discussed by Norbert Wiener (3) and Claude Shannon (2), and Walter M. Elsasser (1) has discussed the possibility of reversible mechanical amplifiers. This paper considers combinations of frictionless mechanical amplifiers arranged in a cycle so that the amplified signal passes around through an endless chain of such systems the output of the last system being fed into the first. It appears that while each amplifier may be completely reversible in the limit of the complete absence of friction, the effect of the combination is such that the signal would be unable to pass around the cycle indefinitely, using the same energy over and over again. A mechanical amplifying system would consist of a mechanical system in which an input involving a small amount of energy is capable of resulting in an output involving a large amount of energy, and in which no signal could be passed through the system in the reverse direction prior to actuation. A type of mechanical amplifier which would approach reversibility in the limit of zero friction occurs in such mechanisms as traps, gun firing pin release mechanisms, etc., a common property being that the controlled member is prevented from undergoing a certain motion until after the controlling member has undergone a releasing motion. There may or may not be interchange of energy depending upon the angles of contact. The energy involved in the motion of the controlled member may be larger than that of the controlling member by any amount if frictionless systems are considered. The controlling member must be free to move between the locking and releasing positions when the controlled member is in the locked position. Also, the controlled member must be free to move between the locked and released position when the controlling member is in the releasing position. Therefore the whole unlocking sequence may occur in the reverse order. Mechanical amplifying systems of this type may be arranged in series with the action of one system unlocking the next, and so on. In addition, the series of amplifying systems may be arranged in a cycle with the last system arranged to unlock the first. In these series the controlled member of one system will be the controlling member of the next system or will be mechanically connected to it.