NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Re: New compact backup CELNAV system
From: Brad Morris
Date: 2009 Feb 26, 03:12 -0800
From: Brad Morris
Date: 2009 Feb 26, 03:12 -0800
Hi Gary Just to be clear, I was not questioning the accuracy of the Flat Bygrave, WHEN FLAT. Just as you have indicated, when flat, the device yields perfectly acceptable results. Since the scales are a realization of the equations, unquestionably, they should work when used as directed. If, however, one scale was distorted by an out-of-flat condition, then we would see errors proportional to the error in flatness. One scale flat, with the other distorted will yield problems. That was my assertion and remains so. Sharp as you are, you should see that as well. My comments also indicated wrapping the scales around cylinders, which eliminates the distortion of one scale to another. That solves the out-of-flat condition by making the surfaces stiff. The follow-on problem, how to lock one cylinder to another securely, forces a mechanical solution. Bygrave himself didn't solve that properly. There are a few mechanical arrangements I can think of to do that, all involving multiple moving parts. This would force your simple Flat Bygrave solution to a more complicated cylindrical Bygrave solution, and keep the device out of the hands of many who would try. Again: Nothing wrong with the Flat Bygrave when used properly. You should be rightly proud of it. Gosh knows I would be! Best Regards Brad --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Navigation List archive: www.fer3.com/arc To post, email NavList@fer3.com To , email NavList-@fer3.com -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
