Wire Apparatus that Moves with Constant Speed Under Weight

omalleyt

Ok, here's a description of what I'm trying to achieve. I want to design a wire apparatus that lowers a weight using the mass of the weight as the force, but then somehow achieves a balance of forces when the velocity reaches 1 m/s. This is simple enough using friction (I think), but the problem is that different weights will be put on this apparatus under different conditions, and the terminal velocity for each has to be 1 m/s. Is this possible? Would hydraulics be good for this?

Phrak

Something like a clock escapement comes to mind.

BenchTop

a centrifugal clutch may be one approach that needs no electronics