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Alcohol wound clock
Built about 1945 this unique clock was housed in a four-glass brass case. A set of sealed glass tubes was partially filled with alcohol and formed in the shape of a wheel, and a small electric light bulb was placed near it. As the air in the chamber nearest the lamp was heated, its expansion would force the alcohol to move to the opposite chamber. This movement of alcohol would upset the balance of the glass tubed wheel and cause it to rotate, thus winding the power spring that powered the clock mechanism. With each advance of the glass wheel, a new chamber of cool air and alcohol would move into position near the heat source, and a new cycle would begin. Considered a novelty, it was never manufactured for domestic use. The mechanism was a platform escapement 8 day-wind, and was exactly as the mechanisms you might find in a good quality spring-driven, key wound clock.
- Part of Speech: noun
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- Industry/Domain: Chronometry
- Category: Clock
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