The Millennium Time Project: Alternative Time Measuring Mechanisms by Miltiadis A. Boboulos - HTML preview

6.2. Operation principle of the device

The device’s operation principle is based on a mechanism driven by means of the expansion of a temperature-sensitive substance and its temperature changes [6].

The base and frame 1 support a corrugated plastic cylinder 4 at its bottom end. The cylinder 4 is filled with a highly expanding upon heating substance 2, like for example mercury, spirit or a gaseous mixture like those used for thermostat skins. At a distance R from the cylinder a mirror or light reflector is installed fixed at the frame 1 or freely rotating around the cylinder 2 axis (for alternative 1 of the device). The cylinder 2 is sealed and connected at its top end to the hinge 6 via which it can move the arm 15, which in turn is connected to two other hinges and to the arm 18 and the rack 12. The rack 12 is engaged with the gear 13 at the axle of which an eccentric 14 is installed and connected to the arm of a ratchet clutch 11 which in turn is engaged with the ratchet gear 10 of the spring drum 9 having a friction spiral spring 8 of an ordinary clock mechanism in it. The corrugated plastic cylinder 4 may either contain (as a second alternative type of device involving electrical drive) an electric resistive heater 3 of low output supplied by an electric power source and connected to it by means of the normally closed contact 19.

The changes in ambient temperature cause the substance 2 to expand or shrink and extension or contraction, respectively of the cylinder 4 thus moving the arm 15 – its ends could go to points 7 and 16. It moves the rack 12 and via 3 – the gear 13 and the eccentric 14 – the ratchet 11, which winds by means of the ratchet gear 10 the clock spring 8. The reflector 5 helps to use solar heat more efficiently. When the changes in ambient temperature are insufficient and electrical heater 3 could be installed turned on and off by the switch 19 and the steps (cams) 17 and 20 of the arm 18. As a third alternative for this device the reflector 5 could be installed to have a kinematical connection to the arm 18 so it rotates around the axis of the cylinder 4 thus changing the intensity of heating the cylinder from sunlight.