Improvements in or relating to Winding and Synchronising Clocks by Electricity.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 21st Sept., 1889-Accepted, 1st Mar., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Winding and Synchronising Clocks
by Electricity.
A. communication from RENÉ JOSEPH POUCHARD, of 15, rue Richelieu, Paris, in the
Republic of France.
1, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E., do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of the present invention is to design mechanism by means of which
clocks driven by weights can be wound up and synchronised or regulated electrically
by passing an electric current every 24 hours over a special wire or an ordinary
telegraph line.
As the wheels of weight driven clocks are not subject to the action of the weights
during the winding up a differential train of wheels is provided which replaces the
action of the weights.
The electric motor driven by a battery is constructed with three coils turninground
an axis parallel to their axes, these coils which revolve between two soft iron poles
receive the current from a commutator which passes the current alternately through
one and then through two coils so that there is no dead point.
A star shaped commutator permits of the making or breaking of the current
which circulates in the motor and effects the winding up. For this purpose the shaft
of the commutator is covered with a cylinder of insulating material on which is
mounted a silver tube which carries a second star, each of these stars is provided
with a spring actuated jumper which limits the movement of the star and conducts
the current from the battery to the motor. The silver tube is formed with two
openings one of which exposes the insulating material while the other carries a spur;
a brush which bears against this revolving tube can be adjusted so as to be in contact
either with the insulating material or the spur.
σ
One of the arms of one of the stars is displaced every 8 hours by means of a nose
or projection fixed on a drum, this displacement effects the movement of the
cylinder on which the silver tube is mounted thus permitting the brush to
make electrical contact and send the current into the motor so as to effect the
winding up.
For the purpose of automatically regulating clocks by electricity, there is used a
clock which every day at a certain time breaks the current in the line wire by means
of mechanism consisting of a lever provided with two noses or projections which
bear constantly and respectively against the periphery of two wheels one of which
makes 24 revolutions per day and the other only one. These wheels are formed each
with a notch in its periphery and these notches register exactly when the 24 hours
have elapsed so that the projections of the lever can enter the said notches. The wheel
corresponding to the hours has steps in its notch which represent the 58th, 59th and
60th minute of the hour, in such a manner that the projection in bearing on these
steps displaces the lower end of the lever so that the flexible rod provided with a
silver contact bears on a plate constantly in contact with the line wire. During the
movement across this plate the contact can hear against keys one of which is
connected with the telegraphic apparatus and the other two with separate coils the
object of which is to correct the clock when too slow or too fast by means of
displacing a rod which either connects the movement of an escapement with that of
the pendulum or renders them independent of each other.
By this mechanism when the clock to be regulated stands at the 58th minute the
silver contact leaves the key which connects it with the telegraphic apparatus breaks

page_text: the line current and bearing against the key of one of the coils causes this coil to be
included in the circuit, the escapement is then disengaged and accelerates its move-
ment. At the 59th minute the silver contact stands between two of these keys and
the current is interrupted. At the 60th minute the contact is made between the
table and the key of the second coil, the escapement is then stopped and the
pendulum only continues to move.
1.2 1
1000
Improvements in or relating to Winding and Synchronising Clocks
by Electricity.
A, communication from RENÉ JOSEPH POUCHARD, of 15, rue Richelieu, Paris, in the
Republic of France.
I, ALFRED JULIUS Bovit, of 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
M.1.M.E., do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:—
The object of the present invention is to design mechanism by means of which
clocks driven by weights can be wound up and synchronised or regulated electrically
by passing an electric current every 24 hours over a special wire or an ordinary
telegraph line.
As the wheels of weight driven clocks are not subject to the-action of the weights
during the winding up a differential train of wheels is provided which replaces the
action of the weights.
The electric motor driven by a battery is contructed with three coils turning round
an axis parallel to their axes, these coils which revolve between two soft iron poles
receive the current from a commutator which passes the current alternately through
one and then through two coils so that there is no dead point.
Fig. 1 shows a rotary electric motor with three electro magnets which is used for
winding up the mechanism.
Fig. 1 shows another rotary electric motor with five electro-magnets which can
likewise be used for winding up the mechanism.
Figs. 2 and 3 show the mechanism for winding up the clock with weights.
Fig. 4 shows a type of clock for setting a clock by using the telegraphic line.
The same letters designate the same parts respectively in Figs. 1, 1, 2 and 3 and in
Figs. 4 and 5.
The electric rotary motor (Fig. 1) used for winding up can be driven in either of
two directions without the current supplied by the battery changing its direction.
This motor is composed of three electro-magnets arranged parallel to the axis o.
The coils revolve between two soft iron armatures and receive the current from a
commutator which causes the said current (coming from the battery) to pass in
such manner that the dead point may be overcome.
The rotary electric motor used for winding up can turn in either of the two
directions without the current supplied by the battery changing its direction. This
motor (Fig. 1) is composed of 5 double coils j fixed to one axis; they are placed
perpendicularly to this axis and inclined with respect one to the other in such a
inauner that in the rotary movement of the motors one of the like poles of these
5. coils always finds itself in front of the arms of the armature.
At one
extremity of the axis of the motor a commutator n is fixed which is divided into
10 equal parts; the ends of each coil of wire are soldered to each respective part of
commutator #. A coil is attached to the other end of the motor. When the
current coming from the battery I and led by the commutator brushes qq passes

page_text: into the motor and into the coil is it causes the coils j to turn in one direction; if
we place the coil out of circuit the coils turn in a contrary direction.
It is known that while a clock is being wound up the wheels are no longer under
the influence of the motor weight; these wheels would likewise stop if the precaution
was not taken to momentarily replace the action of the weight by the action of a
spring. In the automatic winding up at which this invention aims we cannot make
use of a spring but supply its place by differential gearing or maintaining mechanism
which prevents the action of the motor weight on the wheels from stopping during the
winding up of the clock.
This differential gearing Figs. 2 and 3 is arranged in the following manner in the
case of the clock; the winding up wheel a, which is loose on the axis causes the
pinion to turn by means of the ratchet wheelf and the crown wheel e said pinion
being loose on the stud or pin d which is fixed in the axis b. The crown wheel e
which is integral with the winding drum k and loose on the shaft receives from the
pinion ca reverse movement to that of the wheel a and can wind up the motor weight
the cord of which winds itself on the drum k.
While it moves normally the weight is loaded on the motor wheel a through the
ratchet wheel and the pawl or click f; while the weight is being wound up
the wheel remains under the influence of the motor weight through the mediation
of the pinion c.
The motor power is obtained from the electric motor Figs. 1ª and 3 by the screw g
mounted on the axis of this motor.
This screw communicates motion to the winding mechanism by transmitting it
through the worms and gearing g, h, i, 2, 1, and a.
In order to wind up the clock the motor must be put in motion by connecting the
motor with the battery; the motor then commands the gearing mechanism. This
connection is established by means of a commutator (Figs. 2 and 3) formed of a six
toothed brass star wheel fixed to the arbor pp'; this arbor has at its end plan
insulating cylinders on which is loosely mounted a silver tuber which bears a second
six-toothed star /. Each of these stars is furnished with a spring detent m¹m which
limits its movement; it is by the detent m of the star that the current passes from
the binding screw or terminal to that one of the poles of the battery which is
connected to the brush 7; from there it proceeds to the other terminal y by way of
the brush after having crossed the motor.
Two openings are arranged in the silver tube r; in the opening o' is a pin u
which permits a relative movement of a 12th of a revolution of the star with
regard to the star 7. The other opening exposes a sixth of the circumference of
the insulating part upon which bears normally one of the ends of the brush g'.
The catch fixed upon the drum & meets every eight hours upon its lower surface
one of the teeth of the star-wheel which it turns as well as the arbors p p the
sixth of a revolution. By this movement the insulated cylinders is displaced by
the sixth of a revolution and compels the commutator brush g' to act upon the
silver tube.
The pin is also displaced by the sixth of a revolution but carries the star-wheel /
only the twelfth part of a revolution on account of the size of the opening o. The
second twelfth part of a revolution of the star-wheel / is effected by the elasticity of
the detent m, and the contact of the battery P with the brush is also quickly and
suddenly established by the detent m. The current of the battery P is thereby
conducted into the motor and effects the winding up, which is followed by the catch t
meeting the star-wheel in the opposite direction to which it met it before, that is
to say upon the upper part of a tooth of the star-wheel. By this reverse
movement of the star-wheel the pin is displaced by the sixth of a revolution but
effects no more than the twelfth in connection with the opening ol and brings back
the star-wheel / the twelfth of a turn while the detent m effects the second twelfth of
a revolution and forces the brush g' upon the insulated cylinder s, thereby inter-
rupting the connection of the battery and the motor operating the differential train,
and tending to return all the parts to their original positions.

page_text: It is only after a complete revolution of the catch and consequently after the
winding up, that both the star wheels return to their normal position.
In order to set the clocks I act, independently of the mechanism of the clock, on the
crutch of the escapement which is made in a particular shape.
C
The arbor or axis of the escapement bears a rod 6 (Figs. 4 and 5) terminating at
its lower end in the crutch (Fig. 5) which is formed like a groove. This crutch is
furnished at its lower side with a notch d. The crutch is connected with the
pendulum by means of a link e moving round an axis mounted on the shoulder h
of the pendulum . When the extremity of the link e is in the notch d as it is
during the normal movement, the movement of the crutch c is dependent on that of
the pendulum ; but when the rod is disengaged from the notch the action of the
pendulum becomes independent of that of the crutch. If at this moment I leave the
crutch to itself as it is always under the action of the escapement, its action is
accelerated and by this means the clock can be regulated when it is slow. If on the
contrary the cruich e is stopped, the pendulum continues its oscillatory movement
alone, the clock then stops and the advance which it has made can thus be corrected
by not setting it till the right time.
In order to disengage the link e from the notch d the following means are made
use of:-
Levers and are placed underneath the crutch and in front of the pendulum a
which levers are put in motion by the soft iron armatures and of two electro-
magnets and m. When the current passes into the electro-magnet m the lever
rises and lifts the link e out of the notch in consequence of which the movement of
the crutch. e is accelerated. If on the contrary the current passes through the
electro-magnet the lever is raised. This levert bearing a catch g on which the
lever rests, the latter is raised by this movement; as the lever t is furnished with a
flexible blades which can bear against the underside of the crutch e
lever causes the lever to disengage the crutch which is soon rested by the
blade s whilst the pendulum continues its movement.
raising the
In order to be able to set the clock automatically a governor clock (fig. 4) is used,
connected with a battery communicating with the clocks (fig. 5) to be controlled
by a special wire or by the telegraphic line.
Every day at a fixed time, during a period which varies with the errors to be
corrected this clock breaks the circuit through the telegraphic line L which severs
each station furnished with clocks for the advantage of the apparatus for setting
the clock and permits of the current from the telegraphic line being sent into the
electro-magnets Z and m.
y
T
On the frame of the clock a lever and a detent connected together are suspended
on the axis o¹. The lever y bears at a certain distance from the arbor or axis o¹ a
catch which can lodge itself in a notch made on the periphery of a drum f which
revolves once in 24 hours. The detent is pressed by a spring g' onto a cam
furnished with step notches ; this cam is fixed on the hour wheel or its arbor.
Once in 24 hours the catch enters the notch and thus permits the detent to
descend the steps of the cam ; these steps correspond with the 58th 59th and
60th minutes.
Normally the silver finger 9 connected with the lever y by a flexible blade,
establishes contact between the table fixed to the terminal to which the line wire H
of the apparatus for setting the clock extends and the contact 3 connected to the
telegraphic apparatus L by the terminal to which it is fixed. In this manner the
clocks are placed in the circuit of the telegraphic line L. Trepresents the wire
which extends to the ground. At the moment when the clock is set the finger
fixed to the base of the lever 3 reproduces while amplifying the movement which the
point of the detent receives from the cam it moves from right to left producing
the following results:-
1st. At the 58th minute it quits the contact 3 of the telegraphic apparatus attached
to the terminal n. and thus disengages the telegraphic apparatus of the line T.
2ndly. At 58 minutes 45 seconds it establishes the contact between the table and the

page_text: contact 4. The machinery for setting the clock is then in the circuit H until the
60th minute. After this last minute the cam r has reestablished the communication
of motion with the telegraphic line H.
Ordinary clocks (fig. 5) are arranged in the same manner as the governor clock,
only these clocks (fig. 5) are furnished with 3 contacts instead of 2. The contact 3
communicates through the terminal with the telegraphic apparatus L of the
station.
Contact 2 communicates by its blade with the terminal and with the electro-
magnet m
Contact 1 communicates through the terminal 1 with the electro-magnet Z. The
finger in changing its position on the table & produces the following results:-
When the clock that is to be regulated arrives at 58 minutes, the finger q leaves
the contact 3, disengages the clock from the telegraphic line L and being then in
front of the contact 2 puts the electro-magnet m in the circuit, the crutch is then
disconnected and its motion is accelerated as already described. At 59 minutes the
finger is in the space between 2 and 1, the current is then interrupted. At GO
minutes the finger q establishes the contact between the table and the contact 1
then the current passes into the electro-magnet the crutche is arrested and the
pendulum a alone continues in motion.
If the clock fig. 5 is one minute too fast, for example the governor-clock when
sending a current through the telegraphic line H at 58 min. 45 sec., to the machinery
for setting the clock (fig. 5) reaches the latter at 59 min. 45 sec., .e., at the moment.
when the finger q is between the contacts 2 and 1; 15 seconds later the clock that
is to be regulated is at 60 minutes and the finger y encounters the contact 1, the
current of the telegraphic line then passes from the table into the electro-magnet/
which stops the crutch till the moment when the governor-clock is at 60 minutes.
At this instant the current ceases to pass; the pendulum a again seizes the crutch c
and all the organs return to their places, and the clock is regulated to the right
time.
If the clock fig. 5 is a minute slow for example, is at 58 minutes when the governor
clock indicates 59 minutes, the current being ready at 58 minutes 50 seconds it
will pass through the coil m and the crutch a will then be disconnected.
As the said
crutch c oscillates four times quicker than the pendulum a it will be able to make 240
oscillations whilst the pendulum will only make 60, and will thus be able to recover
a loss of 3 minutes in 60 seconds. As soon as the loss be regained the current E
will cease to pass into the wire coil m and the crutch will again be seized by the
pendulum and will resume its normal movement.
I reserve to myself the right of using a special wire instead of the wire of the
telegraphic line, as also of using any kind of electric wire.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my. foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is:-
1. A mechanism for winding up clocks with weights by electricity worked by the
passage of a current one or more times during the 24 hours through an electric
rotating motor composed of 3 electro-magnets revolving round an axis parallel to
their axes, the said coils when changing places between two soft iron armatures z
successively receiving the current from a commutator which causes the said current to
pass alternately in one, and two of the electro-magnets and the reverse, substantially
as described and shown in figs. 1 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
2. A mechanism for winding up clocks with weights by the passage of an
electric current one or more times in 24 hours through an electric rotating motor
composed of 5 electro-magnets or wire coils fixed to the same axis or arbor and
inclined in such a manner one to another on this axis or arbor that one of the poles
of the same sign of these 5 electro-magnets may always be in front of the armature
substantially as described and shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
3. In an electric mechanism for winding up clocks with weights which work by

page_text: means of a rotating electric motor, the employment of a differential gearing for the
purpose of supplying the maintaining, power to the wheels without an additional
spring by causing the action of the weights to continue during the winding up sub-
stantially as described and shown in figs. 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
4. In a mechanism for winding up clocks with weights by electricity which works
by means of a rotating electric motor, the connection of this motor with the electric
current of a local battery, by means of a commutator with two star wheels such as l
furnished with detents men which establish the contact of the local battery with
the motor by means of a catch on the drum of the differential or maintaining
mechanism substantially as described and shown in figs. 2 and 3 of the accompanying
drawings.
5. The automatic mechanism for setting clocks consisting essentially of levers
such as y and with heels or projections which bear respectively on the eam and
drum or disc and operate a contact 7 on a table connected with the governor
clock (fig. 4) in order to cause the current proceeding from this clock to pass
into one or the other of the electro-magnets m or 6, which disengage the crutch c of
the governed clock (fig. 5) from its pendulum a substantially as described and shown
in figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.
6. In a mechanism for setting clocks the combination with a table such as v
attached to a governor-clock (fig. 4) of a pair of electro-magnets and the
armatures and of which operate levers such as t. and t¹ and cause a link e to rise
up and 'disconnect the crutch of the escapement of the governed clock (fig. 5)
from its pendulum substantially as and for the purpose described and shown in
figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.
7. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete apparatus
for winding and setting weight driven clocks substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 20th day of September. 1889.