Abstract: A system manages the reactions of fluids to their changes in their environment in order to convert these reactions into energy thereby harvesting the same while protecting the device against destruction or malfunction when the environmental conditions exceed predefined thresholds.

Abstract: A power indicator device (1) of a thermoelectric generator of a watch. The indicator device includes a first gas fluid reservoir (2), a second gas fluid reservoir (3), and at least one tubular conduit (4) connecting the two reservoirs. The first reservoir is placed on an upper surface of the thermoelectric generator in a watch case, while the second reservoir (3) is placed on a lower surface of the thermoelectric generator in contact with the back of a watch case. The tubular conduit is of the capillary type and comprises in an intermediate portion (9) a liquid forming a barrier to the gas fluid of the two reservoirs and allowing, in a display portion (24) visible from the outside of the watch case, to provide an indication of the power of the generator by measuring the temperature difference of the two reservoirs.

Abstract: An indicator including a housing, a movement lodged in the housing, a watch glass above the housing, a fluid pump driven by the movement for pumping a fluid, and a channel. The channel is arranged so that the fluid circulated by the pump reaches the channel in order to fill the channel for displaying indications.

Abstract: A visual indicator display device includes a bracelet, a transparent capillary chamber, and a displacement member. The transparent capillary chamber is matched to an indicia and has a primary length and a width less than the primary length. The displacement member is functionally disposed at one end of the capillary chamber and is responsive to a measureable input for moving a fluid contained therein a defined amount.

Abstract: A bellows is provided for fluid storage and displacement used in precise fluid indication in a capillary tube. The bellows is made of a housing made of flexible, watertight material. The housing is made up of an upper portion, a lower portion, and an outer accordion formed portion. The accordion formed portion has a length/and is sealingly connected along a periphery between the upper and lower portions. At least one entry/exit port is formed on at least one of the portions thereof. At least one of the upper and lower portions extends from a periphery of the accordion formed portion substantially within the housing so as to reduce the storage volume.

Abstract: An indicator including a housing, a movement lodged in said housing, a watch glass above the housing, a fluid pump driven by said movement for pumping a fluid, and at least one channel, the channel is arranged so that the fluid circulated by said pump reaches said channel in order to fill said channel for displaying indications.

Abstract: A Wristwatch having a housing (1); a movement (8, 9, 10) lodged in the housing; a watch glass (6) above the housing; a fluid pump (5) driven by the movement for pumping a fluid. And, at least one channel (60) through the glass (6), arranged so that the fluid circulated by the pump (5) reaches the channel, in order to sequentially color various portions of the glass for displaying time indications.

Abstract: Watch or watch movement comprising a regulating member and a display mechanism for displaying time data from the movement. The watch or watch movement also comprises a hydraulic system using oil or liquid to transmit forces and/or to lubricate the mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a timepiece wherein the passage of time is represented by the movement of a fluid column from within an inner tube to a space between the inner tube and a concentric outer tube. In one embodiment, the timepiece includes a display mechanism adapted to adjust a fluid column height based on a capacitance proportional to the fluid column height.

Abstract: A display device for a portable instrument includes at least a first transparent or semi-transparent plate arranged on a bottom element. Several closed cavities are formed at least in part in the first plate in the field of view of the device to display information. Each cavity is connected by a respective channel through the bottom element to a tank of colored fluid via feed means for filling or emptying each closed cavity of colored fluid for displaying information. The feed means include at least one micropump connected by an inlet pipe to the colored fluid tank, and microvalves connected to the micropump by a common outlet pipe. Each cavity is directly connected via its respective channel to a corresponding microvalve. The micropump and the microvalves are controlled by electric signals from control means, which can be clocked by a time base in order to control display of time information.

Abstract: An electronically controlled water clock designed to visually display the passage of hours, minutes and seconds by the gravitationally induced flowing away of liquid material inside transparent vessels, with each unit of time displayed in a separate vessel. Each vessel consists of an upper and lower chamber and an air tube connects the 2 chambers to equalize air pressure between them and to serve as an overflow drain for the upper chamber. The bottom end of the upper chamber has a small drain tube through which the liquid drains out. The front of the upper chamber is inscribed with a uniform scale and its interior shape is such that the upper surface of the liquid drops in equal vertical intervals over equal time spans throughout the entire time required to drain the upper chamber from the top to the bottom end of the scale.

Abstract: The invention provides a water feature comprising a vessel containing a volume of water and means for imparting rotational motion thereto, wherein means are also provided for varying the height of the volume of water in the vessel. The invention also provides a method of operating a water feature comprising at least one vessel containing a volume of water, comprising the steps of causing the or a volume of water to rotate about an axis thereof so as to form a vortex therein and causing the rotating volume of water to vary in height over time.

Abstract: A fluid operated timing device in which the timing interval is determined by the rate at which the fluid flows through a precisely configured rate control frit upon being forced through the frit by an energy source in the form of a compressible elastomeric member.

Abstract: A transmission mechanism for a magnet-bearing ornament, in which a clock main spring barrel serves to provide power required by the ornament to show a dynamic scene. The clock main spring barrel has a second wheel to replace a conventional second hand. The second wheel has a large number of teeth provided along its circumferential surface and meshes with a small driven gear to cause the latter to rotate at a high speed. The small driven gear may then cause a magnet-bearing member to coaxially rotate with it via a rotating shaft of the gear connected to the magnet-bearing member. Alternatively, the small driven gear is provided with a major rotational disc having magnets attached thereto. When the small driven gear rotates, the major rotational disc rotates synchronously to magnetically rotate the magnet-bearing member behind a background board of the ornament disposed between the clock main spring barrel and a front showing space.

Abstract: A structure of dynamic fluid clock which can serve both functions of time indication and dynamic enjoyment provided by the fluid, characterized in by its utility and dual functions that conventional timepiece products are hard to serve.

Abstract: An ornamental clock operates while submerged in a body of water, the clock having a clock face and relatively movable hands and a mechanism for moving the hands. Air bubble receivers are each mounted for movement between a first position to entrap air bubbles and a second position to release air bubbles into the water. Spaced ports deliver air into the water below each bubble receiver. Accumulation of bubbles alternately in each receiver produce buoyant forces which act through linkage to drive the clock mechanism. Apparatus is provided to deliver air alternately into the ports.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for moving an object in an oscillatory manner and in an arcuate path through the use of a fluid. The apparatus basically includes a hollow member or elongate tube having a curved portion and means for supplying fluid in pulses or at an increasing rate and then at a decreasing rate of flow to the tube on one side of the curved portion. The change in velocity of the fluid and the rate of change cause the movement of the tube due to inertia and, to a lesser extent, friction of the moving fluid within the tube. The density of the fluid also has a substantial effect on the movement of the tube, although gas alone will cause movement. The object to be moved is engagable by the tube and is usually supported by it. The object moved by the tube and fluid can take many forms, including signs, ornaments, figures, chimes, and clock dials.

Abstract: A pneumatic timer has a mark or pointer which is moved as long as the timer is in operation. The timer has a face plate supporting the adjustment knob for a choke and having a window through which the mark or pointer may be seen. The mark is on a support which is moved on the back side of the window by the free end of a bellows.

Abstract: A pneumatic timer has a bellows with a space inside it joined up with the outside atmosphere by way of an adjustable choke. For starting a timing operation, the bellows is compressed by a pneumatic actuator which is then automatically moved back so that the bellows' speed of motion back into its starting position is controlled by the choke adjustment. The end position of stretching of the bellows is sensed by a sensing unit. This sensing unit may furthermore be moved for adjustment in the axial direction of the bellows.

Abstract: A fluid delivery monitor having a flow sensor, accumulator for recording the duration of sensed flow, a code device to display the contents of and reset the accumulator upon entry of a preselected sequence, and a fluid sensor to disable the accumulator for sensed conductive fluid. The flow sensor is a pressure-sensitive switch recessed in a radial port and a vane substantially covering the port protects the switch from tampering and directs fluid toward the switch.

Abstract: A liquid operated clock employs buckets pivoted to arms of a carrier rotating at constant speed. The buckets are sequentially moved below the surface of a liquid reservoir to fill the buckets, elevate them and cause them to discharge into a receiver. After a predetermined number of buckets of liquid have accumulated within the receiver, it is suddenly drained by a siphon tube back into the liquid reservoir. The change in weight of the receiver between full and empty conditions operates through a ratchet mechanism to drive the input shaft of a clock mechanism in an intermittent fashion. Cam and follower means control filling and dumping of the buckets.

Abstract: An apparatus for connection to a periodic, pulsed air supply for providing an indication of time based on receipt of the air pulses comprises a rotor having an externally visible pointer. The rotor is mounted in a cylindrical housing and includes a first section which moves axially of the housing under the force of an air pulse. Teeth are formed on the rotor first section which coact with stationary teeth mounted on the housing interior to force the rotor first section to rotate a predetermined amount. This rotation is transmitted to a second axially stationary rotor section by a keyed connection between the rotor sections. The axially movable section is forced to its original position by a spring mounted in the housing.

Abstract: This liquid clock has a lower liquid reservoir and an upper-liquid reservoir connected by an overflow to the lower reservoir. A plurality of timekeeping reservoirs are positioned to allow liquid in them to stand at the same level as in the upper reservoir. Each of the timekeeping reservoirs has a liquid exit orifice which connects to one of a plurality of timekeeping tubes, each having timekeeping related indicia on it. A means is provided for dropping a liquid displacement member in each of the timekeeping reservoirs at predetermined time intervals, thus displacing liquid into the timekeeping tubes. A means for withdrawing the liquid displacement members from the timekeeping reservoirs does so between the predetermined time intervals. A pump supplies liquid to the upper reservoir from the lower liquid reservoir to maintain the level of liquid in the upper reservoir at the level of the overflow. Means is further provided for periodically emptying the timekeeping tubes at time related intervals.

Abstract: A cuckoo clock has a clock mechanism and a pair of whistles for producing the cuckoo sound. An air stream is flowed sequentially through the two whistles by bellowless mechanical structure actuated by the clock mechanism.