Patent Publication Number: US-11042121-B2

Title: Indication device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/IB2016/000448, filed Apr. 7, 2016, which claims benefit under 35 USC § 119(a), to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/143,904, filed Apr. 7, 2015, to the International patent application Ser. No. PCT/IB2015/000448, filed Apr. 7, 2015, and to the International patent application Ser. No. PCT/IB2015/000446, filed Apr. 7, 2015. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT &amp; LEGAL NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The Applicant has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Further, no references to third party patents or articles made herein are to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such material by virtue of prior invention. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to systems and methods for jewelry such as timepieces with fluid indication in a transparent cavity or in channels, more particularly in a wristwatch. 
     Luxury watches exist that indicate time using a meniscus of a liquid which is driven by a purely mechanical system. Such watches are complicated and, consequently, very expensive. A need therefore exists for a low cost watch that accurately indicates time using electronic means to displace the meniscus of a liquid. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a system for a device suitable for embellishing jewelry or indicators as e.g. dashboards. The system for a device includes a channel fillable with one or more fluids. The individual fluids are preferable immiscible with each other. Each individual fluid can be transparent or colored, may have the same refractive index as the substrate (e.g. bore glass), can optionally contain solid particles, can be electrically conductive or electrically non-conductive, while at least one liquid must be electrically conductive. In a variant, the indication is done with a moving gas bubble, such as a radioactive tritium gas. The channel is formed as a closed loop or in a variant formed with ends ending in a reservoir. An electrically conductive liquid (e.g., a salt solution or an ionic liquid) can be moved with the channel by the means of one or more magnetohydrodynamic pumps (MHD pumps). In a further variant, a second fluid is electrically non-conductive or electrically conductive, this fluid is pushed or pulled by the electrically conductive liquid driven by the MHD pump(s). 
     In a variant, the MHD pump(s) is/are driven in DC-mode, i.e. a magnetic field originated by the magnets does not change its polarity over time, and an electric field originated by the electrodes does not change its polarity over time. 
     In a variant, the MHD pump(s) is/are driven in AC-mode, i.e. a magnetic field originated by the magnets, particularly electro magnets, does change its polarity over time, and an electric field originated by the electrodes does change its polarity over time. The change of polarity of the magnetic field and the change of polarity of the electric field are essentially synchronized. 
     In a variant, the MHD pump(s) is/are driven in a combined mode, i.e. a magnetic field originated by the magnets does optionally change its polarity over time, and an electric field originated by the electrodes does optionally change its polarity over time. The optional change of polarity of the magnetic field and the optional change of the electric field may be synchronized or not synchronized. 
     In a variant, the position of the electrically non-conductive or electrically conductive fluid, in a variant embodied as a gas bubble, within the channel is sensed along the channel by its deviating dielectricity between the two or more fluids. The sensing of the capacitance or the sensing of the change of the capacitance is preferably made by a number of capacitors spread along the channel. 
     In another variant, the channel is used in a timepiece. The permanent or the electro magnets and/or electrodes required in MHD pumps, in order to be non-visible to a user, are optionally incorporated into design/decoration elements or hidden by design/decoration elements. In another variant, the permanent or the electro magnets and/or electrodes are visible to the user. In another variant, the magnets and the electrodes may be transparent. 
     In another variant, the capacitors used to sense the dielectricity or the change of the dielectricity is accomplished with sputtering, preferable as ITO (Indium-tin oxide) or FTO (Fluorine-doped tin oxide). 
     In another variant, the channel is formed as a micro capillary. 
     In another variant, the channel is formed by two or more glass wafers, preferably connected to each other by a suitable bonding process. 
     In another variant, the channel is formed by two or more polymer wafers, preferably connected to each other by a suitable bonding process. 
     In another variant, a membrane is embedded between wafers. 
     In another variant, the channel system has one or more open access holes to allow an initial filling of the system with fluid(s), implicating an automated filling of the system during the production process. Through one access hole, a fluid is inserted, while another access hole provides access to ambient or controlled pressure. After initial filling, the access hole(s) are closed in a fluid and/or gas tight manner. Optional, the access hole(s) can be opened and closed again, e.g. for maintenance reasons. 
     In another variant, as well for a closed loop system, as for a variant with ends ending in a reservoir, is equipped with a system to compensate thermal expansion/contraction of the fluid(s). This is accomplished by a thin and therefore flexible wafer, or a separate gas chamber, or a flexible soft material part, or a membrane. The flexible soft material part can be placed in the channel or in a separate chamber, which is in fluid communication with the channel. The compensation system is non-visible to a user, and in another variant visible to the user. The non-visible system is disposed underneath the visible system. 
     An object of the invention is to provide system having a closed loop, with no or few moving parts, which better ensures its durability. 
     Another object of the invention is to enable control of the accuracy of the otherwise haptic system using a feedback control system paced by a crystal oscillator or a connected time base, thereby dealing with a wide range of variables (temperature, viscosity, fluid flow issues) while maintaining accuracy. 
     Another object of the invention is to eliminate the need for complex and expensive parts such as fluid bellows or a complex micro pump. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid display for a jewelry item such as that developed and made famous by HYT SA of Switzerland while costing a fraction of the price, thus making this way of enjoying the passing of time accessible to a larger number of users. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic top view of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic top view of the invention in another variant. 
         FIG. 3  is a detail view of an indicator fluid arrangement of the invention. 
         FIG. 4A  is a schematic perspective view of an MI-ID pump used in the invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is a schematic perspective view of an alternate MID pump configuration used where a continuous capillary tube contains the fluids used in the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic top view of the invention in another variant. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional detail view of the fluid reservoir of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is across sectional detail view of a variant of the fluid reservoir of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional detail view of another variant of the liquid reservoir of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of a detail view of an element of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a cross sectional detail view of still another variant of the fluid reservoir of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic top view of the invention in another variant. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic perspective view of the invention in still another variant. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic top view of the invention in a further variant. 
         FIG. 12B  is a schematic top view of an optional embodiment of  FIG. 12A  including a continuous, endless elongated chamber. 
         FIG. 12C  is a schematic top view of the system of the invention at time 12 AM or PM 
         FIG. 12D  is a schematic top view of the system of the invention at time 5:59 AM or PM. 
         FIG. 12E  is a schematic top view showing in detail the layered construction of the fluid chamber. 
         FIGS. 13A to 13D  are cross sectional view taken along planes ZZ′, AA′, XX′, and BB′ of  FIG. 12E . 
         FIG. 14  is an embodiment of the invention using a capillary tube display, illustrating a MI-ID pump incorporated/hidden by design/decoration elements. 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram of the feedback control system used to control the location of the meniscus or indicating drop. 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic view of the function of a touch screen type capacitance sensor. 
         FIG. 17A  and  FIG. 17B  are schematic views of a first arrangement of capacitance sensors used in the invention. 
         FIGS. 17C and 17D  are schematic views of a second alternate arrangement of capacitance sensors used in the invention. 
         FIG. 17E  is a schematic view of a third alternate arrangement of capacitance sensors used in the invention. 
         FIG. 18A  is a top view of an example wristwatch using the system of the invention. 
         FIG. 18B  is a perspective view of an example wristwatch using the system of the invention. 
     
    
    
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the Figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, dimensions may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of the invention and its embodiments. Furthermore, when the terms ‘first’, ‘second’, and the like are used herein, their use is intended for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. Moreover, relative terms like ‘front’, ‘back’, ‘top’ and ‘bottom’, and the like in the Description and/or in the claims are not necessarily used for describing exclusive relative position. Those skilled in the art will therefore understand that such terms may be interchangeable with other terms, and that the embodiments described herein are capable of operating in other orientations than those explicitly illustrated or otherwise described. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way as it is exemplary in nature, serving to describe the best mode of the invention known to the inventors as of the filing date hereof. Consequently, changes may be made in the arrangement and/or function of any of the elements described in the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Referring to the figures, an indication device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  600 ,  1200 ,  1800  of the invention includes an elongated fluid chamber  116 ,  202 ,  402 ,  504 ,  702 ,  1202 ,  1240 ,  1242 ,  1244 ,  1306 ,  1402 ,  1404  containing at least two immiscible fluids  106 ,  110 ,  114 ,  514 ,  710 ,  920 ,  1206 ,  1214 ,  1250 ,  1252 ,  1316 ,  1320 ,  1412 ,  1706  at least one of which has a characteristic physical property different from the other fluid, namely, a liquid driven by an at least one pump  112 ,  400 ,  1246 ,  1248 ,  1506  for such liquid and an immiscible fluid having a different physical characteristic from the liquid, wherein at least one feature of the liquid contained in the chamber is used as an indicator  408 ,  1290 ,  1410 , which feature the at least one pump drives along the chamber either directly or indirectly, via another fluid in the chamber, along adjacent indices  1256 ,  1406  of an indicator  1802 ,  1804  visible to an observer, the indication device further including a feature location sensor  302 ,  406 ,  1600 ,  1700 ,  1710 ,  1712 ,  1714 ,  1720 ,  1722  and a feedback controller  1500  which cooperate so as to activate the pump to move the feature to a desired location in the chamber in order to e.g. indicate a quantity to the observer. 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of a system  100  including a capillary channel  116 , at its both ends having a reservoir  102  attached. It is appreciated that the capillary channel  116  can take on a variety of geometric cross-sectional two dimensional or three dimensional cross-sectional and overall shapes or configurations, e.g. a cylindrical tube, a square, a rectangle, a circle, an oval, an oval shape, a triangular shape, a pentagonal shape, a hexagonal shape, an octagonal shape, a cubic shape, a spherical shape, an egg shape, a cone shape, a dome shape, a rectangular prism shape, and a pyramidal shape, by way of further example. In this variant the capillary channel  116  is filled with a first essentially electrically conductive, optionally colored liquid  106 , implicating for example a Sodium chloride solution and a second electrically conductive or electrically non-conductive, optionally colored fluid  114 , implicating for example a silicone oil or a liquid sapphire (as used herein, any liquid may having the same refractivity as the substrate), in a variant accomplished using a gas bubble. Of course, the system can contain more or less fluids and another combination of different fluids. Further, this variant is equipped with one or more magnetohydrodynamic pumps (MHD pumps)  112 . The channel  116  has optionally one or more open access holes  120  to allow an initial filling of the system with fluid(s), implicating an automated filling of the system during the production process. The system is further equipped with capacitors  302 . The system does compensate thermal expansions and compressions of a fluid  106 ,  114  located in the channel  106 ,  116 , as proposed in  FIGS. 1 and 7 to 11 , for example. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of a system  200  including a capillary channel  202  formed as a closed loop. It is appreciated that the capillary channel  202  can take on a variety of geometric cross-sectional two dimensional or three dimensional cross-sectional and overall shapes or configurations as mentioned above. In this variant the capillary channel  202  is filled with a first essentially electrically conductive, optionally colored liquid  106 , implicating for example a Sodium chloride solution and a second electrically conductive or electrically non-conductive, optionally colored fluid  114 , implicating for example a silicone oil or liquid sapphire, in a variant accomplished using a gas bubble. Of course, the system can contain more or less fluids and another combination of different fluids. Further, this variant is equipped with one or more magnetohydrodynamic pumps (MHD pumps)  112 . The channel  202  has optionally one or more open access holes  120  to allow an initial filling of the system with fluid(s), implicating an automated filling of the system during the production process. The system is further equipped with capacitors  302 . The system does compensate thermal expansions and compressions of a liquid  106  located in the channel  202 , as proposed in  FIGS. 7 to 11 . 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view A-A of  FIG. 1  including a capillary channel  116 . In this variant the capillary channel  116  is filled with a first essentially electrically conductive, optionally colored liquid  106 , implicating for example a Sodium chloride solution and a second electrically conductive or electrically non-conductive, optionally colored fluid  114 , implicating for example a silicone oil or liquid sapphire, and in a variant accomplished using a gas bubble. Of course, the system can contain more or less fluids and another combination of different fluids. Further, this variant is equipped with one or more magnetohydrodynamic pumps (MHD pumps)  112  to drive an electrically conductive, optionally colored liquid  106 , which pushes or pulls an electrically conductive or electrically non-conductive fluid  114 , implicating for example a silicone oil or liquid sapphire, in a variant accomplished using a gas bubble, surrounded by an optionally colored, transparent conductive liquid  110 . The system is further equipped with capacitors  302  used to sense the dielectricity or the change of the dielectricity essentially at areas  304  near the capacitor or the pair of capacitor or the triple of capacitors. The capacitors are made by sputtering, preferable as ITO (Indium-tin oxide) or FTO (Fluorine-doped tin oxide). Several capacitors are placed along the channel  116 . The dielectricity and/or the change of dielectricity can be sensed by dedicating one, a pair or a triple of capacitors to an area  304 . 
       FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a magnetohydrodynamic pumps (MHD pumps)  112 . The MHD pump  112  includes a permanent magnet with its polarization North  502  directed towards a channel  504 , a permanent magnet with its polarization South  506  directed towards a channel  504  and essentially opposite to permanent magnet with its polarization North  502 . The channel contains liquids  514 , implicating for example a silicone oil, liquid sapphire or a Sodium chloride solution, in a variant accomplished using a gas bubble. The system is further equipped with a pair of electrodes  510 ,  512 , reframing the channel  504  and essentially 90° to the permanent magnets  502 ,  506 . To the electrodes  510 ,  512  a direct current (DC), positive or negative polarized, can be applied. The swap of polarization will reverse the flow of the liquids  514 . The permanent magnets  502 ,  506  may either be in contact with the liquids  514  or not be in contact with the liquids  514  and/or gas. The electrodes  510 ,  512  are in contact with the liquids  514  and/or gas. 
     Considering the circular capillary sub-systems  100  or  200 , and its various dimensions, typically a time of 60 seconds, 60 minutes or 12 hours is used to completely fill the circular capillary sub-system  100  or  200 . An exemplary specification for a robust, efficient, fit for purpose MHD pump  112  is as follows: 
     1. Capillary sub-system  100  or  200  cross-sectional area: A=0.5 mm 2    
     2. MHD flow mean velocity: V MHD =1.895 mm/s 
     3. MHD flow rate: Q MHD =57.165 μL/min 
     1 MHD Micro Pump—DC MHD Micro Pump Dimensioning (1/4) 
     Main Formula (Channel Section: Rectangular) 
             Q   =       J   ·   B   ·   l       R   hy                   v   =       J   ·   B   ·   l       A   ·     R   hy                       R     h   ⁢   y       =       8   ⁢   μ   ⁢       L   ⁡     (     w   +   h     )       2           w   3     ⁢     h   3                       Q   d     =       UI   L     =   EI           
Where:
         [ ]Q: MHD flow rate [μL/min]   [ ]J: Current density [A/m]   [ ]B: Magnetic field [T]   [ ]I: MHD motor length [mm]   [ ]R hy : Hydraulic pressure [N*s/m 5 ]   [ ]v: flow velocity [mm/s]   [ ]A: Fluidic channel cross-section area [mm 2 ]   [ ]μ: Liquid viscosity [Pa*s]   [ ]L: Channel total length [mm]   [ ]w: Channel width [mm]   [ ]h: Channel depth [mm]   [ ]Qd: Power dissipation [W/m]   [ ]U: Voltage on the electrodes [V]   [ ]I: Current going through the electrodes [A]
 
Reference:  Design, Microfabrication, and Characterization of MHD Pumps and their Applications in NMR Environments , Thesis by Alexandra Homsy, 2006
 
Of course, the stronger the MHD pump  112  is, the more fluid is moved into cavity  116  or  202  at a faster rate. Slower rates of filling are accomplished by weaker MHD pumps  112  depending on their overall specifications and pumping strength.
       

     Now looking at other MHD pump variants in the comparison provided below, and summarized in Table 1 below, it is appreciated that the example highlighted in red approximates the required specifications. Other MHD pumps can be used, depending upon the requirements of fluid movement, either continuous or intermittent, or those that require faster or slower fluid movement in the cavity  116  or  202 . It is appreciated that an MHD pump  112 , and circular capillary sub-system  100  or  200  featuring cavity  116  or  202  is provided in another variant. Other variants of dimensions (area, volume, geometric shape) of components of sub-system  100  or  200  are also provided in combination with other MHD pumps that have other engineered properties and modes of operation, some being fit for purpose and some not, but preferably, the specifications of MHD pump  112  underlined in Table 1 are preferable for optimal fluid movement in cavity  116  or  202 . 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 8.1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Performance comparison of previously published MHD pumps with our MHD pump presented 
               
               
                 in Ch 4 and 6. All values for voltage (U), current (I), channel cross-sectional area (A), total length of electrodes along the 
               
               
                 pumping channel (l). MHD flow mean velocity in the pumping channel (v MHD ) and MHD flow rate (Q MHD ) were experimental 
               
               
                 data, and were taken from references [1-6]. Most of the values for the electrode cross-sectional area (A J ) and current density 
               
               
                 (J) across the pumping channel had to be calculated. The body force (ΔP MHD ) generated by the pumps was calculated thanks to 
               
               
                 relation 2.14. *Both values were taken from experimental measurements. If calculated with relations 2.16 and 2.15, the predicted 
               
               
                 velocity and flow rate would be 0.16 mm · s −1  and 4 μL · min −1  respectively. 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 U 
                 I 
                 A 
                 A J   
                 l 
                 J 
                 B 
                 ΔP MHD   
                 v MHD   
                 Q MHD   
               
               
                   
                 (V) 
                 (mA) 
                 (mm 2 ) 
                 (mm 2 ) 
                 (mm) 
                 (A · m −2 ) 
                 (T) 
                 (Pa) 
                 (mm · s −1 ) 
                 (μL · min −1 ) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Jang et al. [1] 
                 30 
                 DC 
                 1.8 
                 0.4 
                 30 
                 30 
                 60 
                 0.44 
                 1 
                 2.6* 
                 63*   
               
               
                 Leventis et al. [2] 
                 &gt;1.3 
                 DC 
                 35 
                 18 
                 225 
                 75 
                 155 
                 1.35 
                 16 
                 0.4 
                 450 · 10 3    
               
               
                 Bau et al. [3] 
                 4 
                 DC 
                 15 
                 1.9 
                 292 
                 172 
                 51 
                 0.4 
                 3.5 
                 0.4 
                 45   
               
               
                 Lemoff et al. [4] 
                 6.6 
                 AC 
                 140 
                 0.2 
                 1.5 
                 4 
                 92105 
                 0.013 
                 5 
                 1.5 
                 18   
               
               
                 West et al. [5] 
                 5 
                 AC 
                 90 
                 0.2 
                 5 
                 28 
                 17684 
                 0.011 
                 5.5 
                 0.24 
                 3   
               
               
                 Eijkel et al. [6] 
                 4 
                 AC 
                 40 
                   6 · 10 −3   
                 2 
                 63 
                 21100 
                 0.1 
                 133 
                 0.04 
                  14 · 10 −3   
               
               
                 Chapter 4 
                 16 
                 DC 
                 4.8 
                 8.8 · 10 −3   
                 1.2 
                 16 
                 4000 
                 0.42 
                 27 
                 0.5 
                 0.3 
               
               
                 Chapter 6 
                 19 
                 DC 
                 2 
                 8.8 · 10 −3   
                 1.2 
                 16 
                 1600 
                 7.05 
                 180 
                 2.8 
                 1.5 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The following list of references with respect to MHD pumps are incorporated into this patent application by reference in their entirety, showing the variety of MHD pumps in the market:
         1. Design, Microfabrication, and Characterization of MHD Pumps and their Applications in NMR Environments, Thesis by Alexandra Homsy, 2006.   2. Bislug Flow in Circular and Noncircular Channels and the Role of Interface Stretching on Energy Dissipation, Thesis by Joseph E. Hernandez, August 2008.   3. Modeling RedOx-based magnetohydrodynamics in three-dimensional microfluidic channels, Hussameddine Kabbani et al., 2007.       

     The following references with respect to alternative pumps (which substitute herein for MHD pumps where the characteristic of conductivity is no longer required for operation) are to be incorporated into this patent application by reference in their entirety:
         1. Micropumps—summarizing the first two decades, Peter Woias, 2001.   2. Disposable Patch Pump for Accurate Delivery, Laurent-Dominique Piveteau, 2013, p. 16 and ff.       

     In yet a further aspect, the invention also provides for a grouping of sub-systems that include a circular (or other geometric configuration) capillary sub-system(s) with one or more MHD pumps  112 . The groups include one or more MHD pumps  112  and tube/cavity combinations or groups of inter-related sub-systems. The one or more than one MHD pump  112  manages displacement of one or more fluids within individual circular capillary sub-systems or by way of manifold into more than one capillary sub-systems, in series or in parallel, alone or in combination with other MHD pumps providing for multiple indicator functionality within a single device, e.g. a wristwatch. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4B , an alternate MHD pump  400  configuration is particularly advantageous when used where a continuous capillary tube  402  contains the fluids used in the invention. The MHD pump  400  is DC-current powered. A plurality of ITO/FTO  406  sensor are preferably used to sense the location of the meniscus  408  without having to be in direct contact therewith. Using the ITO/FTO sensor  406 , setting the time is simplified, as all that is required is that once the setting mode is activated, to touch the location where the meniscus  408  should be located on the hour and/or minute display. The change in capacitance is sensed and the feedback loop controller  1500  is operated to move the meniscus  408  into the proper position. 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of a timepiece  600  equipped with system  200 . The system  200  includes a capillary channel  202  formed as a closed loop. In this variant the capillary channel  202  is filled with a first essentially electrically conductive liquid  106 , implicating for example a Sodium chloride solution and a second electrically conductive or electrically non-conductive, optionally colored fluid  114 , implicating for example silicone oil or liquid sapphire, in a variant accomplished using a gas bubble. Of course, the system can contain more or less fluids and another combination of different fluids. Further, this variant is equipped with four magnetohydrodynamic pumps (MHD pumps)  112 . The magnetohydrodynamic pumps (MHD pumps) are incorporated into design/decoration elements or hidden by design/decoration elements  602 ,  604 ,  606 ,  610 , in order to be non-visible to a user. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of variant of system  100  or system  200 . The channel  702  is formed by two wafers  704 ,  706 , implicating wafers made out of glass and/or polymer. The wafers  704 ,  706  are fixed to each other preferably by a suitable bonding process. The channel  702  contains one or more liquids and/or gas  710 , implicating for example a silicone oil, liquid sapphire or a Sodium chloride solution. Wafer  706  is particularly thin in the region of the channel  702  and is therefore enough flexible in that region to compensate thermal expansions and compressions of a fluid  710  located in the channel  702 . The channel  702  has optionally one or more open access holes  712  to allow an initial filling of the system with fluid(s)  710 , implicating an automated filling of the system during the production process. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of variant of system  100  or system  200 . The channel  702  is formed by three or more wafers  802 ,  804 ,  806 , implicating wafers made out of glass and/or polymer. The wafers  802 ,  804 ,  806  are fixed to each other preferably by a suitable bonding process. The channel  702  contains one or more liquids and/or gas  710 , implicating for example a silicone oil, liquid sapphire or a Sodium chloride solution. Wafer  806  is particularly thin in the region of the channel  702  and is therefore enough flexible in that region to compensate thermal expansions and compressions of a fluid  710  located in the channel  702 . The channel  702  has optionally one or more open access holes  712  to allow an initial filling of the system with fluid(s)  710 , implicating an automated filling of the system during the production process. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of variant of system  100  or system  200 . The channel  702  is formed by four wafers  902 ,  904 ,  906 ,  910 , implicating wafers made out of glass and/or polymer. The system can also be formed by less or more wafers. The wafers  902 ,  904 ,  906 ,  910  are fixed to each other preferably by a suitable bonding process. The channel  702  contains one or more fluids  710 , implicating for example a silicone oil, liquid sapphire or a Sodium chloride solution. Wafers  906 ,  910  form a gas chamber  912  containing essentially gas  920 . Gas chamber  912  and channel  702  are connected to each other through a thin transit passage  914 . The thin transit passage has a certain length  916 , typically 0.5-2 mm. The intersection  918  between gas  920  and fluid  710  is essentially within the length  916 . The compressibility of gas  920  in combination with this system allows to compensate thermal expansions and compressions of a fluid  710  located in the channel  702 . The channel  702  and/or the gas chamber  912  has optionally one or more open access holes  712  to allow an initial filling of the system with fluid(s)  710  and/or gas  920 , implicating an automated filling of the system during the production process. 
       FIG. 9  is the detail view B of  FIG. 8 . The thin transit passage  914  is shown in detail. To optimize the trapping of a fluids  710 , the angle  1004  between wafers  906 ,  910  at the entrance of the thin transit passage can be positive, zero or negative. The forming of the thin transit passage  914  can further be freely chosen in order to optimize a proper separation of gas  920  and fluid  710 . To prevent mixing or migration of gas  920  from gas chamber  912  to the channel  702 , the dimensions and shape of the thin transit passage  914  has to be adapted according to the viscosities of the fluids  710 . 
       FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of variant of system  100  or system  200 . The channel  702  is formed by four wafers  1102 ,  1104 ,  1106 ,  1110 , implicating wafers made out of glass and/or polymer. The system can also be formed by less or more wafers. The wafers  1102 ,  1104 ,  1106 , and  1110  are fixed to each other preferably by a suitable bonding process. The channel  702  contains one or more fluids  710 , implicating for example a silicone oil, liquid sapphire or a Sodium chloride solution, in a variant accomplished using a gas bubble. A soft material  1112  is located at a specific place to be in contact with the liquid and/or gas  710 . The soft material  1112  has the property to compensate thermal expansions and compressions of a fluid  710  located in the channel  702 . The channel  702  has optionally one or more open access holes  712  to allow an initial filling of the system with liquid(s) and or gas&#39;  710 , implicating an automated filling of the system during the production process. 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of a system  1200  including a capillary channel  1202  formed as a closed loop. It is appreciated that the capillary channel  1202  can take on a variety of geometric cross-sectional two dimensional or three dimensional cross-sectional and overall shapes or configurations. In this variant the capillary channel  1202  is filled with a first essentially electrically conductive, optionally colored liquid  1206 , implicating for example a Sodium chloride solution and a second electrically conductive or electrically non-conductive, optionally colored fluid  1214 , implicating for example a silicone oil or liquid sapphire, in a variant accomplished using a gas bubble. Of course, the system can contain more or less fluids and another combination of different fluids. Further, this variant is equipped with one or more magnetohydrodynamic pumps (MHD pumps)  112 . A reservoir  1220  is located at a specific place in fluid communication with the channel  1202 . The housing  1222  of the reservoir  1220  has the ability to compensate thermal expansions and compressions of a liquid  1206  located in the channel  1202 . Such compensation, however, may also be obtained such as described in FIG. 3 of PCT/IB2015/000448, filed 7 Apr. 2015, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ABSORPTION/EXPANSION/CONTRACTION/MOVEMENT OF A LIQUID IN A TRANSPARENT CAVITY. The channel  1202  and/or the housing  1222  of the reservoir  1220  has optionally one or more open access holes  712  to allow an initial filling of the system with fluid(s) or gas  1206 ,  1214 , implicating an automated filling of the system during the production process. 
       FIGS. 12A to 12E  are a variant of a system as e.g. described in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 5  or  FIG. 11 , including a closed loop  1302 . The channel  1306  is formed by fixing two or more wafers  1310 ,  1312 ,  1314  together, implicating wafers made out of glass and/or polymer. The channel  1306  may be filled with fluid, gas, solid particles or a combination thereof. In this variant, the channel is filled with two different types of fluids  1316 ,  1320 , implicating for example a silicone oil, liquid sapphire or a Sodium chloride solution. At least one of the filled fluids is essentially electrically conductive. An MHD pump  112  is integrated having its permanent magnets  502 ,  506  placed along the inner diameter and along the outer diameter between two wafers  1310 ,  1314 . Further, wafer  1310  and wafer  1314  are electrically conductive and function as electrodes. The electrical conductivity on wafers  1310 ,  1314  are preferable achieved by sputtering, preferable as ITO (Indium-tin oxide) or FTO (Fluorine-doped tin oxide). The essentially electrically conductive liquid  1316  will be driven forward or backwards by a Lorenz force, created by the magnetic field  1322  generated by the permanent magnets  502 ,  506  in combination with the electrical field  1324  generated between the two wafers  1310 ,  1314  connected to a direct current (DC) voltage source. The swap of polarization will reverse the flow of the fluids  1316 ,  1320 . Of course, this variant contains mechanism to compensate thermal expansion and/or contractions of the fluid, as described before. And of course, this variant contains capacitors to measure the dielectricity and/or the change of dielectricity as described in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 12B , an optional embodiment of  FIG. 12A  includes a continuous, endless elongated chamber  1240  having an upper, visible portion  1242 , and a lower, hidden portion  1244  including one or two MHD pumps  1246 ,  1248  for driving the contained conductive liquid  1252 . By driving the liquid  1252 , the liquid  1252  transmits its movement to the other electrically conductive or electrically non-conductive fluid(s)  1250 , for example a gas. A cross over or transitional portion  1254  of the channel directs the contents of the hidden portion of the channel  1240  to the visible portion of the channel and vice versa. Indices  1256 , in this case, numbers 12, 3, 6 and 9 are provided to facilitate reading the time. The chamber  1240  is of the form of a continuous loop looped once around itself. Here, the system  300  is shown at time 6:01 AM or PM. In the present example, the fluids include a transparent, conductive liquid  1252  and a colored or opaque non-transparent fluid  1250  which may be relatively non-conductive or conductive. Of course, it is understood that the color characteristic attributed to the fluid is exemplarily and might be arbitrary. One can see from the figure that the colored fluid  1250  fills the hidden channel about 50% of the volume of the hidden portion of the channel. Note that a designer of ordinary skill can vary the size (width and depth) of the hidden portion of the chamber as compared to that of the visible chamber to adjust the flow of fluid in the visible and hidden portions of the chamber. 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 12C , here, the system  300  is shown at time 12 AM or PM. One can see from the figure that the colored fluid  1250  fills the hidden channel  1244  about 25% of its volume. 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 12D , here, the system  300  is shown at time 5:59 AM or PM. One can see from the figure that the transparent liquid  1252  almost completely fills the hidden channel  1244  including the portion of the hidden channel having the MHD pumps  1246 ,  1248 . It should be apparent now that the invention is designed such that the conductive liquid  1252  is always in contact with the MHD pump(s)  1246 ,  1248 , in order to ensure the ability of the system  300  to drive the same. The visible portion  1242  is for time indication. The portion  1242  of the hidden chamber  1244  between the MHD pumps  1246 ,  1248  is a suitable location for the fluid expansion or contraction device  102 ,  802 ,  904 ,  1112 , and  1220  described in  FIGS. 1 and 7-11  above. 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 12E , here, more detail of the layer  1266  on layers  1266 ,  1258 ,  1260 ,  1262 , and  1264 , construction of the fluid chamber  1240  is provided, wherein cross section planes ZZ′, AA′, XX′, and BB′ are located. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13A to 13D , the cross sections of the planes ZZ′, AA′, XX′, and BB′ of the fluid chamber  1240  of the system  300  located in  FIG. 12E  are illustrated. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , an embodiment of the invention using either a visible portion of a round capillary tube  1402  for display (which can, for example, use the MHD pump  400  of  FIG. 4B ) or a fluidic, channel  1404  which is square or rectangular in cross section (which can use the MHD pump  112  of  FIG. 4A ) is shown. The MHD pump or pumps  112 ,  400  are located in the design elements  1406  which indicate time indices  12 ,  3 ,  6  and  9 . A transparent conductive liquid  1252  fills essentially the entire visible capillary  1402 ,  1404 . A small drop or bubble  1410  of immiscible fluid  1412  (when not a gas, preferably opaque or colored) that is non-conductive or has a much lower conductivity, indicates time as did the meniscus  1290  in previous embodiments. At least two MHD pumps  1246 ,  1248  are built into these indices  1406  as shown, to ensure that at least one MHD pump  1246  or  1248  is always in contact with the conductive liquid  1252 , to ensure the ability of the system  300  to drive the same. In such an embodiment, a sensor (not shown) is disposed along the longitudinal length of the capillary tube  1402 , within and along the floor of the same, the sensor having sectors which sense local capacitance or differences in adjacent capacitance (as diagrammed in  FIG. 17E ), in order to allow for detection and control of the position of the meniscus  1290  or non-conductive fluid  1250 . Alternatively, a plurality of sensors which optionally extend through holes (not shown) along the floor of the capillary tube  1402 , provide the necessary sensing function, which, along with the closed feedback loop system  1500  and an element providing a pace or reference/target output, e.g. a watch movement (not shown) such as a quartz movement, ensures the accuracy of the system  300 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , a schematic diagram of the feedback control system  1500  used to control the location of the meniscus  1290 , indicating drop  1410  of non-conductive fluid or other feature is shown. A battery  1502  supplies power to a controller  1504  which controls one or more DC MHD micro pump(s)  1506  in the fluid chamber  1510  in which a plurality of electrodes  1512 , preferably 100 or more (to ensure good time resolution and control) are disposed. A capacitor measurement electronic system  1514  measures capacitance and sends the capacitance values for the plurality of electrodes  1512  to the controller  1504  as an input for processing. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 16 , a schematic of the function of a touch screen type capacitance sensor  1600  is shown. A plurality of electrodes  1602  sense the change in capacitance caused by an object (such as a finger  1604 ) contacting a surface  1606  being along a dielectrical pathway  1610  to the electrodes or sensors  1602 . In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 17A  and  FIG. 17B , a change in capacitance is detected by measuring capacitance of change in conductance between two triangular electrodes  1700 ,  1701  attached to walls  1702  of the fluidic chamber  1704 . Such electrodes  1700  may be oriented perpendicular to the typical viewing angle of a user. Such electrodes  1700  can be ITO/FTO electrodes. As a function of the position of the non-conductive fluid  1706 , the capacitor dielectric is modified (via modification of the surface covering the non-conductive fluid  1706 ), leading to a modification of the capacitance measured. Using an experimentally developed threshold, the location of the non-conductive fluid can be heuristically determined. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 17C and 17D , in an alternate embodiment, to detect the position of the non-conductive fluid  1706 , capacitance is measured between two electrode matrices  1710 ,  1712  on both sides of the fluid chamber  1704 . The electrodes  1714  are preferably ITO sensors. Such ITO sensors  1714  measure capacitance across the fluid chamber  1704  and the feedback loop to measuring system  1716  reads the capacitance C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , C 4  etc., measured at each location along the matrix  1710 . The low capacitance location C 2  of the non-conductive fluid  1706  may then be identified by measurement and comparison. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 17E , in a further alternate embodiment, the position of the non-conducting fluid  1706  may be determined by measuring the capacitance between two adjacent electrodes  1720 ,  1722  or comparing the capacitance measures between two adjacent electrodes. 
     Companies such as Dalian HeptaChroma SolarTech Co., Ltd. of Dalian, China, and Thin Film Devices Incorporated of Anaheim, Calif. provide glass substrates with a deposition of ITO layer which may be suitable for applying the layer to the glass substrate of the indicator face. A suitable controller  1716  for the feedback control mechanism is available from Analog Devices Inc. of Norwood, Mass., with the model number AD7745, being of particular suitability as it is able to measure capacitance in a range of +/−4 pF with a resolution of +/−4 fF. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 18A and 18B , an example wristwatch  1800  using the system  100 ,  200 ,  300  of the invention is shown. Note that this example includes two separate fluidic control systems, one system having a display  1802  for the hours and one system having a display  1804  for the minutes. 
     Using ITO/FTO sensors, touch sensitivity may be exploited by enabling the setting the time to be simplified, as all that is required once a setting mode is activated, is to touch the location where the meniscus or non-conductive droplet should be located on the hour and/or minute display  1802 ,  1804 , respectively. The change in capacitance is sensed in setting mode and the feedback loop controller is then operated to move the meniscus or droplet into the proper or desired position. 
     In addition, where a gas is used, because a gas cannot easily be colored or be made opaque, the contrast of the display is preferably modified such that the background surrounding the gas is dark so that the indication is clearly visible. 
     In an advantage, the system is a closed loop, having no or few moving parts, which better ensures its durability. 
     In another advantage, the accuracy of the system  100 ,  200 ,  300  is controlled by a feedback control system  1500  paced by a quartz movement, thereby compensating for a wide range of variables (temperature, viscosity, fluid flow issues) by actively controlling the location of the indicating feature, while maintaining accuracy when used as a time piece. 
     In another advantage, the system  100 ,  200 ,  300  eliminates the need for complex and expensive parts such as fluid bellows or a complex micro-pump. 
     In another advantage, the system  100 ,  200 ,  300  provides a fluid display for a jewelry item such as that developed and made fashionable by HYT SA of Switzerland while costing a fraction of the price. 
     The instant provisional patent application incorporates by reference in its entirety, as if fully set forth herein, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/787,727, filed on 15 Mar. 2013, and International patent application no. PCT/IB2014/000373, filed on 17 Mar. 2014, both entitled “TEMPERATURE DRIVEN WINDING SYSTEM”. 
     As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or variations thereof, are intended to refer to a non-exclusive listing of elements, such that any apparatus, process, method, article, or composition of the invention that comprises a list of elements, that does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements described in the instant specification. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, the use of the term “consisting” or “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the enumerated elements named thereafter, unless otherwise indicated. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described elements, materials or structures used in the practice of the present invention may be varied or adapted by the skilled artisan to other designs without departing from the general principles of the invention. The patents and articles mentioned above are hereby incorporated by reference herein, unless otherwise noted, to the extent that the same are not inconsistent with this disclosure. 
     Other characteristics and modes of execution of the invention are described in the appended claims. Further, the invention should be considered as comprising all possible combinations of every feature described in the instant specification, appended claims, and/or drawing figures which may be considered new, inventive and industrially applicable. 
     Additional features and functionality of the invention are described in the claims appended hereto. Such claims are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference thereto in this specification and should be considered as part of the application as filed. 
     Multiple variations and modifications are possible in the embodiments of the invention described here. For example, the differing physical quantities measures are preferably resistivity or capacitance. However, other characteristics, such as transparency or viscosity might also be used as these can also be sensed by existing sensors. Transparency can be sensed by a light sensor sensing a pulse of light emitted from an LED passing through the fluids in the channel. Light sensors in an array along the channel can then be read to determine the location of the meniscus between two fluids having differing transparency. Viscosity can be sensed with a viscosity sensor such as by using a series of cantilever probes entering into the fluid chamber along its length, the probes having a piezo-resistor built into its base, by which the relative deflection can be measured and used to determine the location of a meniscus between two fluids of differing viscosity. Such a sensor is described in  Measurement and Evaluation of the Gas Density and Viscosity of Pure Gases and Mixtures Using a Micro - Cantilever Beam , by Anastasios Badarlis, Axel Pfau and Anestis Kalfas, Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and Turbomachinery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece,  Sensors  2015, 15(9), 24318-24342; such as available from Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG of Reinach, Switzerland. Still further, an MHD pump need not be used, thus eliminating the need of using the physical characteristic or property of the fluid to drive the fluids in the fluid channel. The above description, minus mention of MHD pumps (in which nano-pumps or micro-pumps are substituted therefore) and minus the mention of “conductive” in relation to the fluids discussed as a property needed for propulsion, is therefore repeated here again in its entirety in reference to the mentioned alternative pumps which do not require conductivity on the part of the fluid. Although certain illustrative embodiments of the invention using conductivity, resistivity, and capacitance have been shown and described here, a wide range of changes, modifications, and substitutions is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. While the above description contains many specific details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather exemplify one or another preferred embodiment thereof. In some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the foregoing description be construed broadly and understood as being illustrative only, the spirit and scope of the invention being limited only by the claims which ultimately issue in this application.