GB1352790A - System for converting electrical energy to rotational mechanical energy - Google Patents

Abstract

1352790 Reciprocating motors GRUEN INDUSTRIES Inc 19 April 1971 [21 Sept 1970] 26166/71 Heading H2A [Also in Divisions F2 and G3] In a ratchet mechanism for converting reciprocating motion of an electrically powered arm 28 into rotary motion of an output shaft 100, e.g. to drive a watch gear train, an arm 78 is attached to the arm 28 and carries a pallet jewel 80 which is interjected between the teeth of an index wheel 106 on the shaft 100 to ensure that the latter is advanced in regular steps. As shown the ratchet mechanism includes springs 114, 116 which encircle a drum 110 on the shaft 100 and are respectively carried by a fixed part 130 and a socket 74 on the arm 28. As the latter is reciprocated by a solenoid coil 24, the springs are wound and unwound so as to grip and slip alternately on the drum 110 to advance the shaft 100. The magnetic circuit comprises permanent magnets 36, 38 and soft iron polepieces 46 and 48 which have poles 52, 54 and 58, 60. In its rest position, the arm 28 is held magnetically against the pole 52. In an alternative embodiment, the index wheel 106 is provided with a disc 204, Fig. 5, having radial ribs 216 or other surface irregularities which co-operate with brushes 214, 220 on the armature 28 and a fixed arm 222 respectively. Each brush comprises natural or synthetic fibre(s) or metal wires. The irregular surface may be a cylindrical surface (230, Fig. 8, not shown) and the positions of the fibres and surface may be reversed, the wheel 106 carrying the fibres and the irregular surfaces being on the arms 28, 222. The arrangement is shown driving a watch the coil 24 being pulsed once per second by a transistor switch controlled by an oscillator. The shaft 100 carries a seconds hand.