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Compensation of the thermal frequency drift of a mechanical oscillator for timekeeping

Assignee: Movado Watch Co SA
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Filing: 1971-07-26
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1991-07-26
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Abstract

Abstract A system for compensation of the thermal frequency drift of a mechanical oscillator for timekeeping, wherein the compensating effect is obtained by interaction of magnets fixed to the oscillator, such magnets having a thermal coefficient of negative character. A secondary compensating effect is obtained by means of magnetic shunts associated with said magnets, such shunts having a Curie-point at a suitable temperature.

Inventors

  • 👤 R Favre

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 11:18
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04C; G04C3/00; G04C3/08; G04C3/10; G04C3/101; G04C3/102; G04B; G04B17/00; G04B17/20; G04B17/22

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 119 words
A device for compensating the thermal drift a mechanical oscillator for timekeeping and in particular of an oscillaTor operating at an audible frequency and comprising at least one oscillating body and a resilient structure arranged as a resonator, said resilient structure including a thermal drift coefficient component of magnetic origin capable of reducing the resultant overall thermal frequency drift, said component of magnetic origin being obtained by interaction of magnets mounted on said resonator having a negative thermal coefficient, magnetic shunts mounted on the faces of said inter-acting magnets for reducing a secondary error, the shunts having a Curie point near the useful average temperature, the shunts forming a barrier the efficiency of whose inter-action increases with decreasing temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 119 words
A device for compensating the thermal drift a mechanical oscillator for timekeeping and in particular of an oscillaTor operating at an audible frequency and comprising at least one oscillating body and a resilient structure arranged as a resonator, said resilient structure including a thermal drift coefficient component of magnetic origin capable of reducing the resultant overall thermal frequency drift, said component of magnetic origin being obtained by interaction of magnets mounted on said resonator having a negative thermal coefficient, magnetic shunts mounted on the faces of said inter-acting magnets for reducing a secondary error, the shunts having a Curie point near the useful average temperature, the shunts forming a barrier the efficiency of whose inter-action increases with decreasing temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 27 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the said component of magnetic origin is produced by the inter-action of the magnets of the transducers for maintaining oscillation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 27 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the component of magnetic origin is produced by the inter-action of auxilliary magnets fixed to the resonator of the oscillator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 23 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the resilient structure is a resonator shaped by deformation and includes at least one sharp bend.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 43 words
A device according to claim 1, in which the resilient structure is in the form of a tuning fork with permanent magnets fixed to the inside of the tines so that the inner surfaces of the magnets are located near to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 19 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein the resilient structure is a resonator including at least one sharp bend.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3207900A Cited
US3283495A Cited
US3310757A Cited
US3496391A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1977-03-18 1977-09-17 1978-03-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1981-03-18 1981-09-17 1982-03-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1985-03-18 1985-09-17 1986-03-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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