The balance spring is actually a compound term.

Functionally speaking, it is divided into two concepts: the balance and the spring.

In the 21st century.

The spring has been optimized to the limit, becoming an extremely fine spiral-shaped spring, 99.9% of which is used in mechanical watches.

It is about 3-4 times thinner than a human hair, with a total weight of about 2mg, yet it can withstand 600g of tension, with considerable toughness.

In timepieces, the inner end of the spring is fixed to the axis of the balance, and the outer end is fixed to the balance bridge.

When the balance is driven, the spring fixed within the balance will uniformly expand and contract due to its elasticity, simultaneously driving the balance to oscillate back and forth.

The driving force on the balance causes the spring to exert pressure, contract, and expand, driving the balance to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise.

This rotational cycle directly affects the accuracy of the watch's timekeeping, thus calibrating the time.

In fact, the application fields of the balance spring are quite broad.

Because it has a significant relationship with the mainspring:

The energy release from the mainspring is transmitted to the escapement system, driving the balance spring for simple harmonic motion, generating a reaction force to achieve deceleration.

However, with technological development, a gap has gradually formed in the relationship between the balance spring and the mainspring, or rather the balance spring has been NTRed:

Ordinary mainsprings do not require such precise movement corrections, and advanced mainsprings have other methods to achieve more accurate effects, making the balance spring unnecessary.

Thus, the balance spring and mainspring can only be seen in mechanical watches.

But who would have thought.

That in the Northern Song era, Xu Yun actually saw a device made of balance springs?

Of course.

The balance spring here certainly wouldn't be as refined as in later generations, mainly serving as an internal linkage effect.

Interestingly enough.

While Xu Yun was observing the device, a rapid clattering sound suddenly came from inside the device—

The sound was reminiscent of a bucket being thrown into a well while drawing water, with the rope pulley quickly unwinding.

Soon after, there was the sound of rushing water from the bottom of the device.

Clearly.

Old Su was using water to wash in the main room.

A few seconds later.

The sound stopped.

During this process, the rope pulled out by the millstone was unaffected and continued to drag outward.

Reaching this point.

There was no need to dismantle the device for a closer look; Xu Yun already understood everything.

The water delivery system of Su Mansion might not have been costly, but the technical level embodied in the entire process was indeed extraordinary!

This was a precise, interconnected planar water supply system:

The entire pipeline was approximately a hundred meters long, laid beneath the ground.

The material of the pipeline was unknown, possibly stone or metal.

Each day, a servant would test the water's safety in front of the head maid, and then the pre-drawn well water would be poured in through a stone pillar.

Because the stone pillar had height, the gravitational potential energy initially converted to some kinetic energy—some of it was lost in collisions, causing the well water to flow forward.

About ten meters before the entrance, a self-priming pump was installed.

This self-priming pump initially functioned by simply holding water on one side.

Simultaneously.

A donkey on the ground was constantly pulling the millstone, and the bottom of the millstone had been modified to pull the rope.

The starting point of the rope was on the other side of the courtyard, possibly twenty or thirty meters in length.

Xu Yun couldn't estimate the exact length, only knowing it was threaded through ground facilities and connected to the millstone.

As the donkey began turning the millstone, the rope was reeled in like a kite string being collected.

The pulling of the rope powered up the mainspring in the device, of which there might have been several, with the balance spring ensuring calibration.

When one mainspring was fully wound, the next continued, until all were fully wound.

When the main room or the west wing needed water, they just had to pull the switch and give it a light twist.

The mainspring would then convert the stored elastic potential energy into kinetic energy, instantly providing enough power for the self-priming pump to operate.

This is also why the pipeline diameter was as wide as thirty centimeters:

Firstly, to store water, avoiding repeated filling in a single day.

Secondly, to prevent smaller pipelines from bursting under instantaneous pressure.

"Flywheel... self-priming pump... balance spring... mainspring...."

Looking at this meticulously functioning device, Xu Yun slowly stood up from the ground, eyes filled with amazement.

Although from his perspective, this device had many areas for improvement:

For instance, the initial efficiency of potential energy conversion from the well water was low, and the stone pillar could be adjusted to an incline.

Additionally, the rope could be modified to a flat fish-like shape to increase friction and energy storage, although this would tire the donkey...

But don't forget.

Xu Yun was a modern person.

Judging Northern Song technology with a modern eye is like critiquing early online novels like Coiling Dragon and Doupo with a 2022 reading perspective, which is utterly meaningless.

Considering the present technological level, Old Su's device undoubtedly represents a pinnacle of technological achievement.

Though it was unclear how intricate the internal structure was, Xu Yun could guarantee that it was no less than four hundred years ahead of the West.

Four hundred years later would be the 16th century, a time when the West had not yet begun its technological surge.

Thinking about it.

Xu Yun instinctively lifted his head and looked at the sky.

If even in this temporary residence of Old Su in Bianjing, such a sophisticated water supply system could be found.

Then considering the dynasty that perished at the hands of the Jin People... no, in the five thousand years of Huaxia's history.

How much wisdom from the ancestors has been buried in the river of time?

One?

Ten?

Or hundreds?

Probably no one could give an accurate number.

Meanwhile.

Xu Yun's interest in Old Su, the person, grew significantly.

Although Old Su had many inventions and creations in history, unlike Little Niu, Little Niu was from the 17th century with ample surviving materials, even manuscripts.

The world's recognition of Little Niu is relatively clear, detailed, and authoritative.

Everyone knows what kind of person Little Niu was, and Xu Yun knew how to pique his interest.

But Old Su was different.

The year 1100 was nine hundred years ago, and with the abrupt end of the Northern Song and the loss of many ancient texts.

Therefore Xu Yun and posterity have no very intuitive understanding of Su Song's abilities and character.

In fact, this is true for many ancient scientists.

For instance, Zu Chongzhi from the Southern and Northern Dynasties, and some detractors even claim he plagiarized others:

He supposedly had an assistant like a comic character, who helped him derive the Da Ming Calendar.

If you ask for the name and evidence of this assistant, these people reply, 'the materials were all destroyed by Zu Chongzhi, so you can't find this person'.

It's unknown what grudge those people bear, wanting to sully the names of some sages.

Then Xu Yun shook his head, bringing his thoughts back to reality.

Looking at this still clattering device.

He suddenly thought of something, and a smile uncontrollably curled up on his lips:

Come to think of it, in native history, the inventor of the balance spring is also an old acquaintance.

His name was.....

Robert, Hook.

.....

Note:

Considering some readers might have objections, let me explain. It is currently accepted that Hook invented the balance spring in 1664, which was overturned at the Sweden CBT conference in 09.

Huygens is currently cited in the University of Oxford's physics chronicle course, defining the balance spring's correction to the spiral spring. This course is accessible via university library computers.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.