Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 April 1892 — Hy draulic Clocks. [ARTICLE]

Hy draulic Clocks.

A system of hydraulically controlled clocks has recently been installed in tho Berlin University by tho Urania-Uhron and Saulcn Comrnanditgesellschuft(Breslauer aud Dr. Von Orth). The installation consists of au ordinary clock, seven secondary clocks and four ringing arrangements, all connected by a system of water conduits to a central apparatus erocted in the vestibule 5 of the building. At the end of each complete hour tho principal clock seuds an electrical current through tho olectromagnet of the central apparatus, thereby disengaging nn arrangement of wheels and opening a water-cock. Tho water then flows through the water-jet pumps aud absorbs the air in a network of tubes to which all secondary clocks and ringing arrangements are connected. Each of the secondary clocks is provided with a brass casing, which is closed by means of a leathor membrane. As soon ns the air in the casing becomes rarified the membrane lifts a bar, by moans of which the hour finger is mado to act ut the exact momeut of completing tho hour, and the clock is wound up to the extent it has run dowu during tho hour just completed. The ringing arrangements aro also fitted with a similar casing and membrane, which, during the rarefaction of the air, lifts the hammer and causes the bell to ring threo times. When the necessary amount .of rarefaction of the air has been attained and tho work of the apparatus is completed, the watcr-eock in the ccntial apparatus is automatically closed. .Several installations of clocks on this system have already been made, notably at tho Berlin Exchango and the Potsdam railway station.—[lndustries.