A thermal compensation system is provided for a liquid-filled inflexible chamber of a device. The chamber has at least one exposed, at least partially transparent surface allowing an outside observer to observe at least one liquid and comprises a mechanism accommodating thermal expansion and/or contraction of the liquids. The mechanism is disposed so as to be substantially invisible to the observer.

A thermal compensation system is provided for a liquid-filled inflexible chamber of a device. The chamber has at least one exposed, at least partially transparent surface allowing an outside observer to observe at least one liquid and comprises a mechanism accommodating thermal expansion and/or contraction of the liquids. The mechanism is disposed so as to be substantially invisible to the observer.

An indication device is provided. The indication device includes an elongated fluid chamber containing at least one electrically conductive liquid driven by a pump for conductive liquids and an immiscible, relatively non-conductive fluid. At least one segment of at least one fluid is used as an indicator. This segment is driven by the pump along adjacent indices of an indicator visible to an observer using a meniscus location sensor and a feedback controller so as to e.g indicate a quantity to the observer.

The invention relates to a timepiece with an escapement based on resistance to the flow of a fluid, comprising a pump arranged for continuously and uninterruptedly pumping said fluid.

The invention relates to a timepiece with an escapement based on resistance to the flow of a fluid, comprising a pump arranged for continuously and uninterruptedly pumping said fluid.

A temperature compensated bellows is provided for storage and displacement of a first fluid used as an indicator in a capillary tube. The bellows is made of a housing made of flexible, watertight material. The housing is made up of an upper portion, a lower portion, and an outer accordion formed portion. The accordion formed portion has a length/and is sealingly connected along a periphery between the upper and lower portions. At least one entry/exit port formed on at least one of the portions thereof. At least one of the upper and lower portions extends from a periphery of the accordion formed portion substantially within the housing so as to reduce the storage volume. Preferably, within this area defined by the portion which extends within the housing, a temperature compensation device is disposed. This device is made up of a miniature bellows and reservoir in which a second fluid is placed having a coefficient of expansion which is different than the first fluid. The device is arranged to allow expansion of the second fluid to negatively affect the displacement of the first fluid in the capillary tube. In this manner, the appropriate selection of a first and second fluid allows for temperature compensation, so as to yield an indication which is consistent and accurate across a large range of temperatures.

An indication device is provided which has an electrically conductive fluid driven by an MHD pump. The fluid has an indicator surface driven adjacent indices of an indicator so as to indicate a quantity. A position of the indicator surface is sensed and controlled to ensure accurate indication of the quantity. Optionally, the quantity indicated is time.

An indication device is provided which has an electrically conductive fluid driven by an MHD pump. The fluid has an indicator surface driven adjacent indices of an indicator so as to indicate a quantity. A position of the indicator surface is sensed and controlled to ensure accurate indication of the quantity. Optionally, the quantity indicated is time.

A dual bellows system and method that includes a main bellows which interacts with a thermally compensating bellows, whereby interaction of the main bellows with the thermally compensating bellows results in a transfer of force and/or displacement that is insensitive to temperature changes.

A dual bellows system and method that includes a main bellows which interacts with a thermally compensating bellows, whereby interaction of the main bellows with the thermally compensating bellows results in a transfer of force and/or displacement that is insensitive to temperature changes.