Tuesday

Printed Pilot [time setting] dial and motionwork for the Gents' WT40A.

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 Following the images of the motionwork, in my last post, my contact has added a pilot dial.  The compact mechanism is driven by the WT exactly like the hands on a turret clock dial. The minute hand is directly driven by the bevel wheel cluster at 1 rph. The hour hand reduced to 1 revolution per 12 hour day. By the two pairs of spur gears with a ratio of 12.1. A typical, clock's motionwork. All thanks to precision, printed parts in bronze plastic.

The white dial even has the Gents' name for a further touch of authenticity. The raised numerals are a very nice touch. Reminiscent of Gent's very own exterior dials produced in massive cast iron. Though usually on a much larger scale than here. 

These dials were typically driven by a slave, impulse dial mechanism and intended for exposed positions. Or even to be sited where there was a risk of explosion from a spark. Such as an explosives factory. Or where the atmosphere has flammable gas or vapours present.

 This dial is small enough not to hide the features of the WT and certainly looks the part. Providing a time service as accurate as the master clock which controls the WT via the Gents' Waiting Train mechanism. Where, twice a minute, the drive to the clock hands is paused for about 2 seconds. A D-shaped pin, on the escape wheel, has lifted and locked the drive pawl, masking detent.
 
 Then the next, short, electrical impulse from the master clock reaches the WT's small, relay electromagnet at 30 second intervals. Allowing the drive pawl to drop back into the teeth of the WT's escape wheel as the masking detent drops. The hands move on without the pause being perceptible to the observer.

 I think you will agree that this pilot dial makes a compact, interesting and attractive feature. Moreover it allows more accurate setting of the WT to time. For example, when the clocks go back and forwards for summer and winter time. Or after a stop for maintenance or lubrication. 



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