Importance

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Abstract

An energy storage and release system and/or time piece device includes two elastic bellows in fluid communication with one another and filled with a single fluid or different fluids (whether liquids alone or in combination with a gas) thus allowing mechanical power transmission. The energy which loads the system comes from an external winding system (which can be performed either manually or automatically). The winding or loading force is transmitted by a mechanism attached to one or the other fluid reservoirs. As the system is loaded, the fluid contained therein expands and contracts the fluid reservoirs. The fluid reservoirs are elastic and so, once a reservoir is filled or contracted, then when the energy input from the mentioned manual or automatic winding is removed, the system will elastically seek to return to an unstressed or relaxed state, and thus release energy that is stored. This results in the linear movement of one or other of the reservoirs which can be used as a linear motion mechanism of significant utility adaptable for a variety of fields, from medical to time keeping. In one embodiment, at least two immiscible fluids defining a meniscus juxtaposed to an indicia may be used, which then allows the system to indicate its energy state. The device may be used as an alternative stored energy source for a wristwatch, replacing the traditional main spring.

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First Claim