Other Horological Examples

George Kent, LTD., London & Luton, c. early 1900's. 15"w x 21"h x 12"d. Serial number 3738. From the North West Water Authority, Woore Ash Reservoir plant covering parts of England and Wales. Pendulum beats 82 times/minute. Modified Harrisons spring maintaining power combined with anti-reverse clutch. One week duration. Recording drum may rotate once per day or week via a seperate slip clutch.

Click on the picture below for more detailed shots.

This instrument is not strictly a clock but does incorporate a high quality English clock movement to drive it. The instrument was used for measuring water flow in pipes and is based on the venturi principal: when water flowing in a pipe passes a constriction (or 'throat'), its increase in velocity causes a local decrease in pressure. The role of the clock is to govern rotation of the recording drum (paper lined), and integrator drum (brass), so that a permanent record of water flow versus time is obtained as a pen carriage is pressed against the graph paper fitted to the recording drum. The brass integrator drum physically depicts the mathematical equation used in the venturi formulation through a parabolic ridge which can be seen running longitudinally around its' surface. The pen carriage has a wheel pressed against the integrator drum's surface. The recessed area (reddish brass color) allows a cog to engage between the drum and the meter measuring gallons passed. The greater the water flow the higher the wheel rests on the drum. At the top of the drum most of the surface is recessed and so the cog is engaged for most of the drum circumference so allowing the meter to register. Conversely, if the flow is low the wheel attached to the pen carriage is low on the integrator drum and passes over the raised surface (yellow brass color); the cog is disengaged and gallons are not recorded. For a full explanation and more pictures, history and science behind flow meters see Mark Phillis site dedicated to these issues.

Click on picture below to see the restoration process, 369 total parts count.