Electrically maintained free balance

From Object Wiki

Electrically maintained free balance
Manufacturer	(unknown)
Production years	20th century
Production location	(unknown)

In this escapement, originally patented by a Mr. Sydney J. Smith in 1931-2, the balance-wheel oscillates under the influence of a helical balance-spring.

[edit] How it works

One end of the spring is attached to the balance and the other end is pinned to a pivoted arm. The oscillations of the balance are maintained by the movements of this arm, which alter the effective pull of the balance-spring. Energy is transferred from a flat spring to the wheel, and eventually to the balance through the balance-spring, at every swing. It will be noticed that the balance-wheel has no ‘unlocking’ duty to perform, and that it receives its impulse through the medium of the balance-spring. The counting mechanism is of the type invented by Mr. S. J. Smith for the ‘Princeps’ master-clock, which can be seen in an adjacent impulse dial movement. The motion of each backstop click breaks the electrical circuit, so that the current pulses required are brief.

[edit] Memories

Do you remember stories about clocks? Add your memories.

[edit] In the Science Museum's Records

Inv. No: 1947-99