Heathkit EC-1

From: John Lawson <jpl15_at_panix.com>
Date: Fri May 2 18:16:00 2003

On Fri, 2 May 2003, Ethan Dicks wrote:

> --- "Dwight K. Elvey" <dwightk.elvey_at_amd.com> wrote:
> > Hi
> > An interesting side note. The power steering of your
> > auto is an example of an analog fluid amplifier.
> > Dwight
>
> I don't think _my_ auto (1968 Beetle) is an example of that. :-)


  Well, now - not so fast! While your Bug may not have power steering, if
it's got an automatic transmission - then I submit that:

  The automatic transmission as found in a good portion of the cars,
trucks, and busses on the roads today, is a marvelous and complex analogue
computer - solving for the match of the mechanical impedances of the
vehicle versus the engine - given the obvious constraints of both: the
vehicle must be capable of being stopped for variable periods of time,
while the engine cannot be stopped in normal operation, and furthermore
the range of input shaft to output shaft ratios must be maintained to
allow for the torque/horsepower curves of the engine, and, by extension.
it's economical and 'safe' operating ranges, and finally the output
information must be able to have it's sign changed by operator command.
('reverse')

  The engine power must be coupled and uncoupled at various times to allow
speed range changes, and the transmission must accept range-modification
commands from the driver and from the engine systems - like acceleration
kick-down. All this must be done in a very harsh environment, handling
many foot-pounds of torque and generally multiple hundreds of HP, and be
able to be produced in the millions of units - and do all this
maintenance-free for years...

  Then of course the output 'information' from the tranny flows to a nice
little mechanical computer that continuously solves the differential
equation that arises when two wheels separated by an axle need to
negotiate varying radii while maintaining a fixed and 'solid' relationship
to the input signal. That's why is *called* a "differential".

  But Y'all knew that already, I reckon....


  Cheers

John
Received on Fri May 02 2003 - 18:16:00 BST

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