Mechanical computing systems

A computing mechanism operated by a clock and comprising:

• an anchor block;
• and
• a plurality of logic structures mounted to said anchor block, each of said logic structures being configured to define a position of at least one output based on a logic operation performed on at least one input, where the logic operation includes at least one of a combinatorial logic function and a sequential logic function, and being configured such that the pattern of connection between primitives remains constant as said logic structure operates,
• wherein said logic structures are connected together such that outputs from one subset of logic structures serve to define the inputs of another subset of logic structures,
• wherein each of said logic structures further comprises:
• one or more moveable input primitives that provide said inputs and one or more moveable output primitives that provide said outputs, wherein discrete positions of said input and output primitives represent integer values;
• and
• internal connecting primitives arranged to connect said input primitives to said output primitives such that the positions of at least a subset of said output primitives are defined by a logic operation of at least a subset of said input primitives,
• wherein at least a subset of said logic structures are each constructed from a plurality of locks and balances connected so as to perform a desired operation, each balance having a movable balance actuating element and a plurality of movable balance driven elements which move when said balance actuating element moves, unless blocked from such movement, and said locks being connected to said balance driven elements and configured such that the positions of lock input elements determine which of said balance driven elements are blocked from moving when said balance actuating element moves, and
• wherein at least a subset of said logic structures are configured such that non-trivial storage and release of potential energy resulting from operation only occurs at a speed imposed by a clock comprising at least one of links and rotary joints, springs and masses, or cams and cam followers.

A computing mechanism comprising:

• an anchor block;
• and
• a plurality of logic structures mounted to said anchor block, each of said logic structures being configured to define a position of at least one output based on a logic operation performed on at least one input, where the logic operation includes at least one of a combinatorial logic function and a sequential logic function,
• wherein said logic structures are connected together such that outputs from one subset of logic structures serve to define the inputs of another subset of logic structures,
• wherein each of said logic structures further comprises:
• one or more moveable input primitives that provide said inputs and one or more moveable output primitives that provide said outputs, wherein discrete positions of said input and output primitives represent integer values;
• and
• internal connecting primitives arranged to connect said input primitives to said output primitives such that the positions of at least a subset of said output primitives are defined by a logic operation of at least a subset of said input primitives,
• wherein at least a subset of said logic structures are each constructed from a plurality of locks and balances connected so as to perform a desired operation, each balance having a movable balance actuating element and a plurality of movable balance driven elements which move when said balance actuating element moves, unless blocked from such movement, and said locks being connected to said balance driven elements and configured such that the positions of lock input elements determine which of said balance driven elements are blocked from moving when said balance actuating element moves,
• wherein the computing mechanism is operated by a clock, wherein at least a subset of said logic structures are configured such that non-trivial storage and release of potential energy resulting from operation only occurs at a speed imposed by the clock which comprises at least one of links and rotary joints, springs and masses, or cams and cam followers, and
• further wherein at least a subset of said logic structures are configured such that they do not require storage or release of non-trivial amounts of potential energy as they operate.

A computing mechanism comprising:

• an anchor block;
• and
• a plurality of logic structures mounted to said anchor block, each of said logic structures being configured to define a position of at least one output based on a logic operation performed on at least one input, where the logic operation includes at least one of a combinatorial logic function and a sequential logic function,
• said logic structures each being constructed from a plurality of locks and balances connected so as to perform said operation,
• each balance having a movable balance actuating element and a plurality of movable balance driven elements which move when said balance actuating element moves, unless blocked from such movement, and
• said locks being connected to said balance driven elements and configured such that the positions of lock input elements determine which of said balance driven elements are blocked from moving when said balance actuating element moves,
• wherein said logic structures are connected together such that outputs from one subset of logic structures serve to define the inputs of another subset of logic structures,
• wherein each of said logic structures further comprises:
• one or more moveable input primitives that provide said inputs and one or more moveable output primitives that provide said outputs, wherein discrete positions of said input and output primitives represent integer values;
• and
• internal connecting primitives arranged to connect said input primitives to said output primitives such that the positions of at least a subset of said output primitives are defined by a logic operation of at least a subset of said input primitive,
• wherein at least a subset of said logic structures are configured such that non-trivial storage and release of potential energy resulting from operation only occurs at a speed imposed by a clock comprising at least one of links and rotary joints, springs and masses, or cams and cam followers that operates the computing mechanism.