Articles | Volume 12, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/ms-12-203-2021
https://doi.org/10.5194/ms-12-203-2021
Research article
 | 
19 Feb 2021
Research article |  | 19 Feb 2021

Historical development of water-powered mechanical clocks

Zheng-Hui Hwang, Hong-Sen Yan, and Tsung-Yi Lin

Related authors

Reconstruction designs of an early Chinese astronomical clock with a waterwheel steelyard clepsydra
Zeng-Hui Hwang, Tsung-Yi Lin, and Hong-Sen Yan
Mech. Sci., 12, 891–911, https://doi.org/10.5194/ms-12-891-2021,https://doi.org/10.5194/ms-12-891-2021, 2021
Short summary

Related subject area

Subject: Mechanisms and Robotics | Techniques and Approaches: Synthesis
Design and motion analysis of a new wheeled rolling robot
Hui Bian, Zihan Li, and Chang-Qian Meng
Mech. Sci., 15, 431–444, https://doi.org/10.5194/ms-15-431-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/ms-15-431-2024, 2024
Short summary
Assembly of reconfigurable Bricard-like mechanisms to form a multimode deployable arch
Ruiming Li, Xianhong Zhang, Shuo Zhang, Ran Liu, and Yan-an Yao
Mech. Sci., 14, 387–398, https://doi.org/10.5194/ms-14-387-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/ms-14-387-2023, 2023
Short summary
Design and error compensation of a 3-degrees-of-freedom cable-driven hybrid 3D-printing mechanism
Sen Qian, Xiao Jiang, Yong Liu, Shuaikang Wang, Xiantao Sun, and Huihui Sun
Mech. Sci., 14, 371–386, https://doi.org/10.5194/ms-14-371-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/ms-14-371-2023, 2023
Short summary
The evolution and restoration of European vertically arranged mechanical turret clocks before the 17th century
Tsung-Yi Lin and Wen-Feng Lin
Mech. Sci., 13, 933–948, https://doi.org/10.5194/ms-13-933-2022,https://doi.org/10.5194/ms-13-933-2022, 2022
Short summary
Evolution and mechanism configuration synthesis of chamber clocks movement prior to 1700
Tsung-Yi Lin and Wen-Feng Lin
Mech. Sci., 13, 877–897, https://doi.org/10.5194/ms-13-877-2022,https://doi.org/10.5194/ms-13-877-2022, 2022
Short summary

Cited articles

Anettle, S.: The Karnak Clepsydra and its Successors, Water Management in Ancient Civilizations, 53, 321–346, 2018. 
Aubriot, O.: The timekeeper, Archives-Ouvertes, 24, 2018. 
Bedini, S.: The Compartmented Cylindrical Clepsydra, Technol. Cult., 3, 151–141, 1962. 
Bonine, M.-E.: From Qanātto Kort: Traditional Irrigation Terminology and Practices in Central Iran, J. Brit. Inst. Persian Studies, 20, 145–159, 1982. 
Breasted, J.-H.: The Beginnings of Time-Measurement and the Origins of Our Calendar, Sci. Mon., 41, 289–304, 1935. 
Download
Short summary
This article examines the historical development of ancient water-powered mechanical clocks. The study begins with a comprehensive analysis and comparison of the different types of ancient clepsydra, their use and development, development of their feedback systems, power systems, and time-reporting systems.