F.lli Consonni
53
A small clock glossary
Automatic beat adjustment
The ter m auto matic beat adjustment refers to a auto matic adjustement of the ancor position relative to the escape wheel
through an overswing of the pendulum. This is achieved with a precisely tolerated friction between ancor and ancor shaft and
an additional disc attached to the escape wheel. Because of the automatic beat adjustment a perfe ctly even tic sound will
develop after the overswing period of the pendulum is co mpleted.
Automatic chime sequencing
When activating the option automatic chime sequencing (« AUTOM.» ) the motion of the hand shaft automatically shifts the
melody drum o f triple chime move ments to the next melody every hour after the hour count is completed.
Compensation pendulum
Due to temperature fluctuations the different metallic co mponents of normal pendulums expand at different rates.
There fore the lenght of the pendulum changes and triggers fluctuations of the running speed (time keeping). Through a
specific arrange ment of metals with different expansion coefficients and a corresponding design of the pendulum these
differences o f e xpansion rates are compensated.
Escapement & Regulator
The ter m "escape ment" re fers to the co mbination of the clock components anchor and escapement wheel. The anchor is either
made in one piece (solid anchor) or consists of an anchor body with inserted pallets (pallet anchor). The special gearing of the
escapement wheel is matched for the type of escape ment and the anchor.
The escape ment regulates the otherwise uncontrolled run of the time drive with the help of the regulator oscillations and at the
same time provides the regulator with the necessary drive impulse. Depending on type of movement the regulator can be
either a pendulum or a balance wheel. The oscillation rate of the regulator determines the rhythm for the move ment of the
hands.
Movements use a stationary escapement (Graham) or an escape ment (Swiss escapement).
Lyre pendulum
A pendulum style which includes multiple, vertically oriented bars joined by a bridge in the middle and which has a harp
shaped structure above the pendulum bob.
Maintaining Power
The time drive of weight powered clock movements with maintaining power continues to run during winding. This is achived
through a counter locking gear with spring, which provides a power reserve for the time drive during winding.
Moon phase dial
A dial which tracks the moon's phases through the 29½ day lunar month. As the rotating moon dial passes behind
representations of the eastern and western hemispheres, the
phases of the moon (new moon, full moon, wasing crescent, etc.) are r epresented as they appear at each stage of the cycle.
Night shut-off
When activating the option night shut-off (« NIGHT OFF» ) the chimes or strike are/is automatically turned off between 10.00
P .M. and 7.15 A.M. ( move ments with quarter hour chime) or 10.00 P .M. and 7.00 A.M. ( move ments with half hour strike).
The night shut-off incorporates an additional mechanism and a special time curve to interrupt the release of the chi me and/or
strike mechanism(s).
Pendulum leader
Through the pendulum leader, which is attached to the anchor and engages into the pendulum extension, the power is
transfered fro m the move ment to the pendulum.
Roller burnishing
The ter m r e fers to a special, traditional process for the surfac e treat ment of the axle journals of pinions and arbor during clock
manu facturing. In doing so the surface of a turning component is smoothened and compressed with a rotating ("roller
burnishing") hard metal disk. With this process a very high life e xpectancy and soft running characteristics of
the bearings are achieved.
Tempus Fugit
Latin for "Ti me flies". Tr aditionally these words are often insribed on a decorative clock dial.
True second
With a "true second" fe ature the second hand moves in precise second steps. This is only possible for movements with a
second pendulum, that is, with a pendulum length of
nominal 116 cm. For move ments with shorter pendulum lengths Kieninger uses a special second module for a correct second
indication