Mechanisms can be designed to manage non-contact forces to reduce energy consumption and/or to control interactions between the parts. Management of non-contact forces is especially useful in micro-scale and nano-scale mechanisms, where van der Waals attraction between parts of the mechanism may be significant to the operation of the mechanism.

Logic mechanisms operate to define the position of at least one mechanical output based on the position of at least one mechanical input. Some mechanisms are configured to determine, based on the input position(s), whether a path to transmit motion to an output exists or does not exist. Some mechanisms are configured to determine, based on the input position(s), whether or not motion of a driven element can be accommodated without moving an output. Some mechanisms are configured to determine, based on the input position(s), whether or not one or more elements are constrained to transmit motion to an output.

A buffered cam assembly, which is particularly well-suited for use to provide a clock input for a mechanical computing system, interposes a buffer element between a cam surface and a follower. The buffer element engages the cam surface and acts to significantly reduce the effect of any irregularities in the cam surface on the resulting motion of the follower, allowing the output waveform of movement of the follower to more closely approximate an intended ideal output waveform.

Logic mechanisms operate to define the position of at least one mechanical output based on the position of two or more mechanical inputs, and employ at least one control element that functions to determine (at least in part) whether an output is moved, and which provides the same function in more than one position. Some mechanisms are configured to determine, based on the input positions, whether a path to transmit motion to an output exists or does not exist. Some mechanisms are configured to determine, based on the input positions, whether or not motion of a driven element can be accommodated without moving an output.

Logic mechanisms operate to define the position of at least one mechanical output based on the position of two or more mechanical inputs, and employ at least one control element that functions to determine (at least in part) whether an output is moved, and which provides the same function in more than one position. Some mechanisms are configured to determine, based on the input positions, whether a path to transmit motion to an output exists or does not exist. Some mechanisms are configured to determine, based on the input positions, whether or not motion of a driven element can be accommodated without moving an output.

Logic mechanisms operate to define the position of at least one mechanical output based on the position of at least one mechanical input. Some mechanisms are configured to determine, based on the input position(s), whether a path to transmit motion to an output exists or does not exist. Some mechanisms are configured to determine, based on the input position(s), whether or not motion of a driven element can be accommodated without moving an output. Some mechanisms are configured to determine, based on the input position(s), whether or not one or more elements are constrained to transmit motion to an output.

Mechanisms can be designed to manage non-contact forces to reduce energy consumption and/or to control interactions between the parts. Management of non-contact forces is especially useful in micro-scale and nano-scale mechanisms, where van der Waals attraction between parts of the mechanism may be significant to the operation of the mechanism.

Mechanisms can be designed to manage non-contact forces to reduce energy consumption and/or to control interactions between the parts. Management of non-contact forces is especially useful in micro-scale and nano-scale mechanisms, where van der Waals attraction between parts of the mechanism may be significant to the operation of the mechanism.

Logic mechanisms operate to define the position of at least one mechanical output based on the position of two or more mechanical inputs, and employ at least one control element that functions to determine (at least in part) whether an output is moved, and which provides the same function in more than one position. Some mechanisms are configured to determine, based on the input positions, whether a path to transmit motion to an output exists or does not exist. Some mechanisms are configured to determine, based on the input positions, whether or not motion of a driven element can be accommodated without moving an output.

Logic mechanisms operate to define the position of at least one mechanical output based on the position of two or more mechanical inputs, and employ at least one control element that functions to determine (at least in part) whether an output is moved, and which provides the same function in more than one position. Some mechanisms are configured to determine, based on the input positions, whether a path to transmit motion to an output exists or does not exist. Some mechanisms are configured to determine, based on the input positions, whether or not motion of a driven element can be accommodated without moving an output.