BALANCE WHEEL Meaning and
Definition
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A balance wheel is a crucial component found in mechanical timepieces, such as watches and clocks. This device operates with a swinging motion to regulate the movement and maintain accuracy of the timekeeping mechanism. It consists of a circular wheel with evenly spaced weights, known as poise weights, attached around its edge. The balance wheel is typically located within the escapement, a mechanism responsible for controlling the release of energy supplied by the mainspring.
The primary function of the balance wheel is to ensure consistent and precise timekeeping by oscillating back and forth at a regular rate. It achieves this by interacting with the escapement, which allows energy to be evenly distributed and released through each swing of the balance wheel. The poise weights on the wheel are adjusted to achieve a specific frequency of oscillation, commonly measured in beats per hour.
The balance wheel is often paired with a hairspring, which helps control the speed and stability of its movements. The hairspring acts as a spiral spring, coiled around the balance staff, to provide resistance against the balance wheel's oscillations. This combined system of the balance wheel and hairspring forms a delicate balance, ensuring the watch or clock maintains accurate timekeeping by compensating for variations caused by external factors such as temperature changes and gravitational forces.
Overall, the balance wheel is a fundamental component of mechanical timepieces responsible for providing accuracy and stability by regulating the timekeeping mechanism's rhythm and frequency of oscillation.
Common Misspellings for BALANCE WHEEL
- valance wheel
- nalance wheel
- halance wheel
- galance wheel
- bzlance wheel
- bslance wheel
- bwlance wheel
- bqlance wheel
- bakance wheel
- bapance wheel
- baoance wheel
- balznce wheel
- balsnce wheel
- balwnce wheel
- balqnce wheel
- balabce wheel
- balamce wheel
- balajce wheel
- balahce wheel
Etymology of BALANCE WHEEL
The word "balance wheel" originates from the combination of two distinct terms: "balance" and "wheel".
The term "balance" is derived from the Latin word "bilanx" which means "two scales" or "two dishes". In the context of horology (the study of timekeeping devices), a balance refers to the oscillating component found in a mechanical watch or clock. It consists of a weighted wheel or wheel-like structure that rotates back and forth, controlling the timing of the device.
The word "wheel" comes from the Old English word "hwēol", which is related to the Old Norse word "hjǫl". A wheel is a circular object that revolves around its central axis, often used for transportation or to transmit motion.
Idioms with the word BALANCE WHEEL
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balance wheel
A balance wheel is a component in a machine or system that helps to maintain stability, equilibrium, or smooth functioning. It can also refer to a person or thing that helps to keep a situation or organization in check or running smoothly.
Similar spelling words for BALANCE WHEEL
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