Regulator
The gear regulator is a mechanical oscillation system that is used in the clock and determines the beat or, together with the escapement, ensures that it runs smoothly. The following oscillating systems are used:
Oscillating systems
- Gravity pendulum: The pendulum mass is lifted when it swings out. Your kinetic energy is converted into potential energy of the location. When swinging back to the central position, the transformation is reversed. The pendulum continues to swing into the other end position as a result of its recovered kinetic energy . With the pendulum, the wheel clock received a system with natural oscillation for the first time . It was followed by the Foliot , with which the rate control is only approximately possible.
- Balance with spiral spring: The rotating balance mass has given its kinetic energy to the elastically deformed spring at maximum rotation, which now contains deformation energy and drives the balance back to its center position. With recovered kinetic energy, the balance continues to turn to the other end position. Only the use of a balance wheel with a spring allowed the construction of position-independent clocks (pocket watches).
- Torsion pendulum with torsion wire ( rotating pendulum ): The rotating “pendulum” mass twists the wire on which it is attached until its kinetic energy is used up. Before the direction of rotation is reversed, all energy is contained in the elastically twisted wire as deformation energy. In its central position, the mass has received all kinetic energy back and continues to rotate into the other end position. The period of oscillation of a rotary pendulum clock is on the order of minutes (seconds for the other wheel clocks). The energy requirement is very low, running times of several months are achieved. The torsion pendulum is extremely sensitive to shock. Such clocks are placed under a bell jar, which further extends the running time because friction losses are avoided when the air is moving in the room.
Watches without a mechanical oscillation system
- Elementary clocks ( water clock , hourglass , sundial ).
- Foliot clocks: The foliot (or scales) was used before the invention of the clock pendulum. But it does not have any natural oscillation ability .
- Recirculating ball clocks : Like the Foliot, the rotating ball has no natural oscillation ability.
Clock generator in electromechanical clocks
- Synchronous motor : The clock generator is located outside the synchronous motor clock and keeps the natural frequency of the alternating current source constant.
- Electrically excited mechanical oscillators in tuning fork clocks , quartz clocks or atomic clocks .
Individual evidence
- ^ Friedrich Assmus: Technical drives including clocks ; Springer-Verlag Berlin, Göttingen, Heidelberg 1958; P. 191f
- ^ Günter Krug: Mechanical clocks ; VEB Verlag Technology; Berlin 1987; ISBN 3-341-00356-8 ; P. 182f
- ↑ Richard Reute book: The Clockmaker: A textbook f. every watchmaker, .... ; Wilhelm Kempter Verlag, Ulm (Donau) 1951