Time Telling through the AgesBrearley, Harry Chase
History
Time Telling through the Ages
Brearley, Harry Chase
Clocks and watches -- History; Time measurements
ESCAPEMENT, CROWN-WHEEL—Of the recoil type, and the earliest known
escapement; to be found in Henry de Wyck's clock. Not suitable for
watches. Practically the same principle as Verge or Vertical Escapement
used in watches for so many years.
[Illustration]
ESCAPEMENT, CYLINDER OR HORIZONTAL—Invented by Thomas Tompion in
1695—later improved and brought into general use by Graham. It
dispensed with the then common vertical crown-wheel—hence the term
"horizontal" and permitted thinner watches. This escapement is
frictional, the balance being carried on a hollow cylinder whose bore
is large enough to admit the teeth of the escape wheel. The cylinder is
cut away where the teeth enter and the impulse is given by the wedge
shaped teeth striking against the edge of the cylinder as they enter
and leave. Used at this time in the cheaper Swiss watches.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
ESCAPEMENT, DEAD-BEAT—Any escapement in which the pallet face is so
formed that the escape wheel remains dead or motionless during the
supplementary arc of the balance or swing of the pendulum. As invented
by George Graham, the wheel is much the same as the wheel in the anchor
escapement, the difference lying in the shape of the pallets. Each
pallet has a driving face and a sliding face. It is so arranged that
the impulse is given the pendulum at the midpoint of its swing thus
allowing the swing to adapt itself to the impulse and keep the time
constant. The pallets are faced with jewels so that there is slight
friction. Used in high grade clocks such as regulators and astronomical
clocks.
ESCAPEMENT, DETACHED—Any escapement in which the balance or pendulum
is for some time during each vibration free from the pressure of the
train. Detached escapements are used in chronometers, most watches and
in turret clocks. They are of value in any movement where the motive
power varies greatly—hence in turret clocks. Examples: Chronometer,
lever, and gravity escapements.
[Illustration]
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