Atmos Bellows Work?

[Tony Wells]

I did some reading on Atmos timepieces. Fascinating and very brilliant thinking behind the design. In particular, it is the EC that makes it work. It has a very high thermal rate of expansion and even a one degree temperature change is enough to exert enough force on the spring to wind it to run a day. So even in a basement, all you would have to do is light a candle where the warmth would hit the bellows and change the temperature even a small amount. There have been other similar designs with mercury as the expansion agent (as I shall call it) but apparently the EC is superior. Whatever is used must exhibit the expansion/contraction properties at normal ambient temperatures. That's probably why EC works. I would not rule out another substance as a substitute, but research would be required. And it's not as though you would need to set the movement out in the sun to "wind" it. If it were sitting on a fireplace mantel, or a small table near a window, I'd think there would be more than enough differential over a period short enough to keep it running.

Now I want one! lol

I'll make a couple of phone calls tomorrow to some people I know to see if there is a way I can get my hands on some. Slim chance, but I won't know without asking.

 

[Tony Wells]

Oh, here's a link with a brief overview of the Atmos:

http://www.atmosadam.com/howitworks.html

 

[chips&more]

I would not put an Atmos on a small table near a window. The Atmos will stop running if not placed on a FIRM foundation. It really doesn’t like any movement at all. And putting an Atmos into the direct line of sight of the sun (or over/near a heater register or the like) causing an excessive rise in clock temperature is hard on the bellows and its solder joints. Yes, they are a very unique clock/time piece but it comes with knowing how to enjoy them…Dave.

 

[Superburban]

Oh, here's a link with a brief overview of the Atmos:

http://www.atmosadam.com/howitworks.html

Thanks. It must have been one of those where the brain was stuck in low gear. I did a search for atlas clock.



At least I know why I could not find anything.

 

[tq60]

We received one of the 2 different batches of EC of unknown certainty.

No time to play until weekend and other is due on the 14th but not holding our breath.

Plan on testing it via temperature control to see if it has no spray pressure in freezer first then fridge.

Will assume if it has no spray pressure below the 50 or degrees that it is valid.

Will confirm correct temp before test...no need for this post.

Since it is not in the screw top jar we will need to determine how to transfer from spray can to syringe.

Plan for today is to pick up a couple from the vet supply then make a cooler from some CRS round stock for the syringe to fit inside so it can cool and condense the gas.

Heat transfer will be slow but we will see how it goes.

Photos will come later.

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[Tony Wells]

I did make some inquiries at the hospital that I contract with, and they (the biomedical technologies dept) told me they did not use it at all in the hospital here, as far as they knew. So strike that as a possible source.

There should be some numbers on the spray that you could research to see if it is pure, or also contains some inert gas as a propellant. I would strongly suspect so. Even so, if you chill it well below the bp, you should be able to pierce the can above the fluid level and vent the propellant gas, then simply pour it off. If you use a chilled container, your evap losses should be minimal. Cap and store in the freezer. A proper reagent bottle should suffice, with ground glass stopper.

 

[tq60]

Our research indicates EC is a common propellant as it has a fairly high bp so less pressure to contain on hot days.

Common medical uses as DME is as a spot cooler to numb skin prior to iv use or to cool a boo-boo.

Personal doctor is a group setting so cannot do much but advised they sometimes use the stuff but could not sell any.

Distributors only sell to doctors who could request shipping elsewhere but that mucks it up.

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[tq60]

Gunrunner you need to order a set of these for the Z axis hand crank. Bill did you just spit coffee on your monitor? :rofl:

View attachment 253356

 

[Tony Wells]

Sounds good. I found a web page by a Mike someone (I'm sure you know who) that has a bit of information, and he seems to specialize in Atmos movements, and oddly says and nearly any electric plug in clock. Seems to been at this a while and is a published author. According to his page, he doesn't do the actual bellows service, but sends it out to another individual. Prices seem a bit high, so either he is very, very good at it, there aren't many who do it at all, or has plenty to do. Or maybe is just getting tired of doing it. I figure him to be up in age (just a hunch), so maybe be is in a take it or leave it mode. Definitely a little bit diva, although within his rights to handle payments any way he wants, but is definite about how he will not do it.

Do your expansion/contraction numbers fall into spec? I think he gave them on a data page for checking bellows.

What is the market like on finding parts clocks? Or is there even one. It sure would be nice to have a set of working drawings for one. It would make a fantastic project.

 

[tq60]

Folks "part them out" on ebay.

They are not serviced by too many folks so prices reflect that.

There is a guy who fills bellows for a reasonable price but does not indicate if repairs are attempted and knowing a repair would be needed is part of reason we started this plus we are cheap...Having 3 to do would be maybe $200.00 or so after shipping and risk of damage or loss in the mail was more incentive to look into it.

Our range of operation matches the data on the Web so we are comfortable with it for now.
The video was the tipping point as it seemed easy enough done sloppy...

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