Electric timepiece drive

Claim 2

An electric timepiece drive including in combination a synchronous motor having a driving connection between the motor shaft and the timepiece mechanism, an electronic circuit including components which maY be, for convenience, divided into a plurality of sections, namely first, a voltage regulator section having two terminals to receive the power input from a source at any voltage within a range between predetermined minimum and maximum voltage limits and whose output is a substantially constant voltage independent of the power input voltage, second, an astable multivibrator section to receive the output of said voltage regulator and whose outputs are two outof-phase square wave signals at a predetermined frequency, third, two amplifier stages to receive the output of said multivibrator stage and whose output powers, fourth, a two-phase synchronous motor section: a. said voltage regulator section being the source of power for all other sections and being constructed to operate with supply input voltage within a range between predetermined minimum and maximum limits of the order of 1 to 15 and comprising a plurality of components, namely, 1. a transistor (Q1) hereafter referred to as the first transistor which acts as a series resistance and whose collector is connected to one of the two power input terminals and whose emitter is connected to one of the two outputs of the voltage regulator section,

Claim 3

a voltage reference element (D1) which is connected in series between said resistance and the other input power terminals which also forms one of the two output power terminals, the other output power terminal being formed at the junction of the said series resistance and said voltage reference element,

Claim 4

a voltage reference element (D1) which is connected in series between said resistance and the other input power terminals which also forms one of the two output power terminals, the other output power terminal being formed at the junction of the said series resistance and said voltage reference element,

Claim 5

capacitors (C1, C2) each connected from the collector of one of said like transistors to the base of the other transistor enabling regenerative feedback,

Claim 6

capacitors (C1, C2) each connected from the collector of one of said like transistors to the base of the other transistor enabling regenerative feedback,

Claim 7

capacitors (C1a, C2a) each connected from the collector of one of said like transistors to the base of the other like transistor enabling regenerative feedback,

Claim 8

capacitors (C1a, C2a) each connected from the collector of one of said like transistors to the base of the other like transistor enabling regenerative feedback,

Claim 9

a resistance (R2a) connected between said collector and emitter to lessen the power dissipation of said first transistor,

Claim 10

a resistance (R2a) connected between said collector and emitter to lessen the power dissipation of said first transistor,

Claim 11

A timepiece drive according to claim 1 wherein said synchronous motor is constructed of the self-starting type.

Claim 12

capacitors (C1 and C2) each connected from the collector of one of said like transistors to the base of the other like transistor enabling regenerative feedback,

Claim 13

capacitors (C1 and C2) each connected from the collector of one of said like transistors to the base of the other like transistor enabling regenerative feedback,

Claim 14

A resistance (R2) connected between said collector and emitter to lessen the power dissipation of said first transistor,

Claim 15

A resistance (R2) connected between said collector and emitter to lessen the power dissipation of said first transistor,

Claim 16

A resistance (R2) connected between said collector and emitter to lessen the power dissipation of said first transistor, 3. a voltage divider comprising a resistance (R1) which is connected between the collector and base of said first transistor, and another transistor hereafter referred to as the second transistor (Q2) whose collector is connected to the base of the first transistor and whose emitter is connected to the other input terminal which also forms the other output terminal, 4. a voltage reference element (D1) connected between the emitter of the first transistor and the base of the second transistor, 5. a resistance (R10) which is connected between the base and emitter of the second transistor, 6. a diode (D2) in series with the power input terminal to protect against accidental polarity reversal; b. said stable multivibrator section which generates a specific predetermined frequency comprising as components; 1. at least two like transistors (Q4, Q5) operating in identical common-emitter amplifier circuits, the collectors of said transistors forming the output connections, 2. capacitors (C1 and C2) each connected from the collector of one of said like transistors to the base of the other like transistor enabling regenerative feedback, 3. resistors (R4 and R8) connecting the collectors of the transistors (Q4 and Q5) respectively to the source of power, 4. resistance (R5, R6) connected from the base of each of said like transistors to one terminal of an adjustable resistance (R7) the other terminal of (R7) being connected to the source of power, these said resistances and capacitances forming an RC time constant which governs the frequency of operation of the multivibrator; c. two amplifier sections comprising a resistance (R3) connected in series with the collector of transistor (Q4) and the base of another transistor (Q3) whose emitter is connected to the power input terminal and a resistance (R9) connected in series with the collector of (Q5) and the base of another transistor (Q6) whose emitter is connected to the power input terminal, the collectors of transistors (Q3) and (Q6) forming the output of the amplifier stages, d. said two-phase synchronous motor section having connections to the outputs of said amplifier and power source and transducing the electrical signal outputs of said multivibrator into the mechanical form of a rotating shaft the angular rate of which is controlled by the frequency of the output of the said amplifier.

Claim 17

A resistance (R2) connected between said collector and emitter to lessen the power dissipation of said first transistor, 3. a voltage divider comprising a resistance (R1) which is connected between the collector and base of said first transistor, and another transistor hereafter referred to as the second transistor (Q2) whose collector is connected to the base of the first transistor and whose emitter is connected to the other input terminal which also forms the other output terminal, 4. a voltage reference element (D1) connected between the emitter of the first transistor and the base of the second transistor, 5. a resistance (R10) which is connected between the base and emitter of the second transistor, 6. a diode (D2) in series with the power input terminal to protect against accidental polarity reversal; b. said stable multivibrator section which generates a specific predetermined frequency comprising as components; 1. at least two like transistors (Q4, Q5) operating in identical common-emitter amplifier circuits, the collectors of said transistors forming the output connections, 2. capacitors (C1 and C2) each connected from the collector of one of said like transistors to the base of the other like transistor enabling regenerative feedback, 3. resistors (R4 and R8) connecting the collectors of the transistors (Q4 and Q5) respectively to the source of power, 4. resistance (R5, R6) connected from the base of each of said like transistors to one terminal of an adjustable resistance (R7) the other terminal of (R7) being connected to the source of power, these said resistances and capacitances forming an RC time constant which governs the frequency of operation of the multivibrator; c. two amplifier sections comprising a resistance (R3) connected in series with the collector of transistor (Q4) and the base of another transistor (Q3) whose emitter is connected to the power input terminal and a resistance (R9) connected in series with the collector of (Q5) and the base of another transistor (Q6) whose emitter is connected to the power input terminal, the collectors of transistors (Q3) and (Q6) forming the output of the amplifier stages, d. said two-phase synchronous motor section having connections to the outputs of said amplifier and power source and transducing the electrical signal outputs of said multivibrator into the mechanical form of a rotating shaft the angular rate of which is controlled by the frequency of the output of the said amplifier.

Claim 18

An electRic timepiece drive according to claim 1, the voltage regulator of whose circuit is constructed to compensate only for minor variations in supply input voltage within a range between predetermined minimum and maximum limits of the order of 1 to 1.5.

Claim 19

resistors (R4 and R8) connecting the collectors of the transistors (Q4 and Q5) respectively to the source of power,

Claim 20

resistors (R4 and R8) connecting the collectors of the transistors (Q4 and Q5) respectively to the source of power,

Claim 21

a voltage divider comprising a resistance, (R1a) which is connected between the collector and base of said first transistor and another transistor, hereafter referred to as the second transistor (Q2a) whose collector is connected to the base of the first transistor and whose base is connected to the emitter of the first transistor,

Claim 22

a voltage divider comprising a resistance, (R1a) which is connected between the collector and base of said first transistor and another transistor, hereafter referred to as the second transistor (Q2a) whose collector is connected to the base of the first transistor and whose base is connected to the emitter of the first transistor,

Claim 23

resistances (R4 and R8) connected from the collectors of transistors (Q4) and (Q5) respectively to the source of power,

Claim 24

resistances (R4 and R8) connected from the collectors of transistors (Q4) and (Q5) respectively to the source of power,

Claim 25

a diode (D2) in series with the positive power input terminal to protect against accidental polarity reversal, b. said astable multivibrator section which generates a specific predetermined frequency comprising:

Claim 26

a diode (D2) in series with the positive power input terminal to protect against accidental polarity reversal, b. said astable multivibrator section which generates a specific predetermined frequency comprising:

Claim 27

resistors (R6a, R5a) each connected from the base of one of the transistors to one terminal of a variable resistance (R7a), these said resistances and capacitances forming an RC time constant which governs the frequency of operation of the multivibrator, the other terminal of resistance (R7a) being connected to the source of power, c. two amplifier sections comprised of a resistance (R3a) connected in a series with the collector of transistor (Q4a) and the base of another transistor (Q3a) whose emitter is connected to the power input terminal and resistance (R9a) connected in series with the collector of transistor (Q5a) and the base of another transistor (Q6a) whose emitter is connected to the power input terminal, the collectors of transistors (Q3a) and (Q6a) forming the output of the amplifier stages, d. said two-phase synchronous motor section having connections to the outputs of said amplifier and power source and transducing the electrical signal outputs of said multivibrator into the mechanical form of a rotating shaft the angular rate of which is controlled by the frequency of the output of said amplifier.

Claim 28

resistors (R6a, R5a) each connected from the base of one of the transistors to one terminal of a variable resistance (R7a), these said resistances and capacitances forming an RC time constant which governs the frequency of operation of the multivibrator, the other terminal of resistance (R7a) being connected to the source of power, c. two amplifier sections comprised of a resistance (R3a) connected in a series with the collector of transistor (Q4a) and the base of another transistor (Q3a) whose emitter is connected to the power input terminal and resistance (R9a) connected in series with the collector of transistor (Q5a) and the base of another transistor (Q6a) whose emitter is connected to the power input terminal, the collectors of transistors (Q3a) and (Q6a) forming the output of the amplifier stages, d. said two-phase synchronous motor section having connections to the outputs of said amplifier and power source and transducing the electrical signal outputs of said multivibrator into the mechanical form of a rotating shaft the angular rate of which is controlled by the frequency of the output of said amplifier.

Claim 29

a voltage divider comprising a resistance (R1) which is connected between the collector and base of said first transistor, and another transistor hereafter referred to as the second transistor (Q2) whose collector is connected to the base of the first transistor and whose emitter is connected to the other input terminal which also forms the other output terminal,

Claim 30

a voltage divider comprising a resistance (R1) which is connected between the collector and base of said first transistor, and another transistor hereafter referred to as the second transistor (Q2) whose collector is connected to the base of the first transistor and whose emitter is connected to the other input terminal which also forms the other output terminal,

Claim 31

a voltage reference element (D1a) connected between the emitter of the second transistor and to the other input terminal which also forms the other output terminal,

Claim 32

a voltage reference element (D1a) connected between the emitter of the second transistor and to the other input terminal which also forms the other output terminal,

Claim 33

resistance (R5, R6) connected from the base of each of said like transistors to one terminal of an adjustable resistance (R7) the other terminal of (R7) being connected to the source of power, these said resistances and capacitances forming an RC time constant which governs the frequency of operation of the multivibrator; c. two amplifier sections comprising a resistance (R3) connected in series with the collector of transistor (Q4) and the base of another transistor (Q3) whose emitter is connected to the power input terminal and a resistance (R9) connected in series with the collector of (Q5) and the base of another transistor (Q6) whose emitter is connected to the power input terminal, the collectors of transistors (Q3) and (Q6) forming the output of the amplifier stages, d. said two-phase synchronous motor section having connections to the outputs of said amplifier and power source and transducing the electrical signal outputs of said multivibrator into the mechanical form of a rotating shaft the angular rate of which is controlled by the frequency of the output of the said amplifier.

Claim 34

resistance (R5, R6) connected from the base of each of said like transistors to one terminal of an adjustable resistance (R7) the other terminal of (R7) being connected to the source of power, these said resistances and capacitances forming an RC time constant which governs the frequency of operation of the multivibrator; c. two amplifier sections comprising a resistance (R3) connected in series with the collector of transistor (Q4) and the base of another transistor (Q3) whose emitter is connected to the power input terminal and a resistance (R9) connected in series with the collector of (Q5) and the base of another transistor (Q6) whose emitter is connected to the power input terminal, the collectors of transistors (Q3) and (Q6) forming the output of the amplifier stages, d. said two-phase synchronous motor section having connections to the outputs of said amplifier and power source and transducing the electrical signal outputs of said multivibrator into the mechanical form of a rotating shaft the angular rate of which is controlled by the frequency of the output of the said amplifier.

Claim 35

An electric timepiece drive according to claim 1 the voltage regulator of whose circuit is constructed to operate with supply input voltage within a range between predetermined minimum and maximum limits of the order of 1 to 15.

Claim 36

resistances (R5,R6) connected from the base of each of said like transistors to one terminal of resistances (R7) connected to the source of power, these said resistances and capacitances forming an RC time constant which governs the frequency of the operation of the multivibrator, c. two amplifier sections comprising a resistance (R3) connected in series with the collector of transistor (Q4) and the base of another transistor (Q3) whose emitter is connected to the power input terminal and resistance (R9) connected in series with the collector of transistor (Q5) and the base of another transistor (Q6) whose emitter is connected to the power input terminal, the collector of transistors (Q3) and (Q6) forming the output of the amplifier stages. d. said two-phase synchronous motor section having connections to the outputs of said amplifier and power source and transducing the electrical signal outputs of said multivibrator into the mechanical form of a rotating shaft the angular rate of which is controlled by the frequency of the output of said amplifier.

Claim 37

resistances (R5,R6) connected from the base of each of said like transistors to one terminal of resistances (R7) connected to the source of power, these said resistances and capacitances forming an RC time constant which governs the frequency of the operation of the multivibrator, c. two amplifier sections comprising a resistance (R3) connected in series with the collector of transistor (Q4) and the base of another transistor (Q3) whose emitter is connected to the power input terminal and resistance (R9) connected in series with the collector of transistor (Q5) and the base of another transistor (Q6) whose emitter is connected to the power input terminal, the collector of transistors (Q3) and (Q6) forming the output of the amplifier stages. d. said two-phase synchronous motor section having connections to the outputs of said amplifier and power source and transducing the electrical signal outputs of said multivibrator into the mechanical form of a rotating shaft the angular rate of which is controlled by the frequency of the output of said amplifier.

Claim 38

a voltage reference element (D1) connected between the emitter of the first transistor and the base of the second transistor,

Claim 39

a voltage reference element (D1) connected between the emitter of the first transistor and the base of the second transistor,

Claim 40

a resistance (R10) which is connected between the base and emitter of the second transistor,

Claim 41

a resistance (R10) which is connected between the base and emitter of the second transistor,

Claim 42

An electric timepiece drive as defined in claim 4 whose component values are such as to enable operation of the timepiece drive over a voltage range of 4 to 50 volts.

Claim 43

a capacitance (C3a) connected between the base and emitter of the second transistor by said voltage reference element (D1a) which will prevent spontaneous oscillation of the voltage regulation stage,

Claim 44

a capacitance (C3a) connected between the base and emitter of the second transistor by said voltage reference element (D1a) which will prevent spontaneous oscillation of the voltage regulation stage,

Claim 45

a diode (D2a) in series with the power input terminal to protect against accidental polarity reversal, b. said astable multivibrator section which generates a specific predetermined frequency comprising

Claim 46

a diode (D2a) in series with the power input terminal to protect against accidental polarity reversal, b. said astable multivibrator section which generates a specific predetermined frequency comprising

Claim 47

An electronic timepiece drive as defined in claim 4 whose component values are such as to enable operation of the timepiece drive over a voltage range of 10 to 130 volts.

Claim 48

a diode (D2) in series with the power input terminal to protect against accidental polarity reversal; b. said stable multivibrator section which generates a specific predetermined frequency comprising as components;

Claim 49

a diode (D2) in series with the power input terminal to protect against accidental polarity reversal; b. said stable multivibrator section which generates a specific predetermined frequency comprising as components;

Claim 50

An electric timepiece drive as defined in claim 1 wherein the component values are such as to enable operation of the timepiece drive over a voltage range of four to fifty volts and are of the order of:

Claim 51

An electric timepiece drive as defined in claim 1 wherein the driving connection between the motor and the timepiece mechanism comprises a frame on which the motor is mounted, a worm on the motor shaft, a spiral gear meshing with said worm and mounted to rotate on a support that is fixed with respect to said motor, there being mechanical means to prevent rotation of said shaft in one direction while permitting rotation in the opposite direction, said spiral gear is mounted on a secondary shaft and said timepiece mechanism comprises a drum type register including number wheels and speed reduction wheels mounted on said secondary shaft and the usual transfer pinions, and said spiral gear and one of said transfer wheels have coacting parts providing said driving connection between the motor and the timepiece mechanism.

Claim 52

An electric timepiece drive including in combination a synchronous motor having a driving connection between the motor shaft and the timepiece mechanism, an electronic circuit including components which may be, for convenience, divided into a plurality of sections, namely first, a voltage regulator section having two terminals to receive the power input from a source at any voltage within a range between predetermined minimum and maximum voltage limits and whose output is a substantially constant voltage independent of the power input voltage, second, an astable multivibrator section to receive the output of said voltage regulator and whose outputs are two out-of-phase square wave signals at a predetermined frequency, and, third, two amplifier stages to receive the outputs of said multivibrator stage and whose output powers a fourth stage consisting of a two-phase synchronous motor; a. said voltage regulator section being the source of power for all other sections and being constructed to operate with supply input voltage within a range between predetermined minimum and maximum limits of the order of 1 to 15 and comprising a plurality of components, namely,

Claim 53

An electric timepiece drive including in combination a synchronous motor having a driving connection between the motor shaft and the timepiece mechanism, an electronic circuit including components which may be, for convenience, divided into a plurality of sections, namely first, a voltage regulator section having two terminals to receive the power input from a source at any voltage within a range between predetermined minimum and maximum voltage limits and whose output is a substantially constant voltage independent of the power input voltage, second, an astable multivibrator section to receive the output of said voltage regulator and whose outputs are two out-of-phase square wave signals at a predetermined frequency, and, third, two amplifier stages to receive the outputs of said multivibrator stage and whose output powers a fourth stage consisting of a two-phase synchronous motor; a. said voltage regulator section being the source of power for all other sections and being constructed to operate with supply input voltage within a range between predetermined minimum and maximum limits of the order of 1 to 15 and comprising a plurality of components, namely,

Claim 54

An electric timepiece drive as defined in claim 9 therein the component values are such as to enable operation of the timepiece drive over a voltage range of 10 to 130 volts and are of the order of:

Claim 55

An electric timepiece drive including in combination a synchronous motor haviNg a driving connection between the motor shaft and the timepiece mechanism, an electronic circuit including components which may be, for convenience, divided into a plurality of sections, namely first, voltage regulator section having two terminals to receive the power input from a source at any voltage within a range between predetermined minimum and maximum voltage limits and whose output is a substantially constant voltage independent of the power input voltage, second, an astable multivibrator section to receive the output of said voltage regulator and whose outputs are two out-of-phase square wave signals at a predetermined frequency, and, third, two amplifier stages to receive the outputs of said multivibrator stage and whose output powers a fourth stage consisting of a two-phase synchronous motor: a. said voltage regulator section being the source of power for all other sections and being constructed to operate with supply input voltage within a range between predetermined minimum and maximum limits of the order of 1 to 1.5 and comprising a plurality of components, namely,

Claim 56

An electric timepiece drive including in combination a synchronous motor haviNg a driving connection between the motor shaft and the timepiece mechanism, an electronic circuit including components which may be, for convenience, divided into a plurality of sections, namely first, voltage regulator section having two terminals to receive the power input from a source at any voltage within a range between predetermined minimum and maximum voltage limits and whose output is a substantially constant voltage independent of the power input voltage, second, an astable multivibrator section to receive the output of said voltage regulator and whose outputs are two out-of-phase square wave signals at a predetermined frequency, and, third, two amplifier stages to receive the outputs of said multivibrator stage and whose output powers a fourth stage consisting of a two-phase synchronous motor: a. said voltage regulator section being the source of power for all other sections and being constructed to operate with supply input voltage within a range between predetermined minimum and maximum limits of the order of 1 to 1.5 and comprising a plurality of components, namely,

Claim 57

An electric timepiece as defined in claim 11 wherein the component values are such as to enable operation of the timepiece drive over a voltage range of eleven to fourteen volts and are of the order of:

Claim 58

A timepiece drive as described in claim 11 wherein a filter circuit between the said resistance (R1), said diode (D2), and said one of the two power input terminals is provided in the voltage regulator circuit providing for operation of the same timepiece drive when powered by either direct current or alternating current of various frequencies.