tuning fork
Date1900-1950
Inventory Number1997-1-1038
ClassificationTuning Fork
Subject
Maker
American
?
Cultural Region
Dimensions12.2 × 29 × 5.1 cm (4 13/16 × 11 7/16 × 2 in.)
Material
DescriptionThe tuning fork is fixed to an L-shaped mount, which can be bolted to a hard surface using the three holes. Parallel to the fork a rod is also fixed to the mount. It supports an electric interrupter, linked to one of the fork's tines. The position of the electrical contact on the interrupter is adjustable via a thumb screw. Two electric connectors channel electricity to the instrument.
Signedunsigned
FunctionThis tuning fork could be used as an interrupter. Whether it had an electromagnet or not to generate the vibration, the electrical contact on the tine vibrates at the frequency of the fork. When it touches the other contact on the mount, it closes the electrical circuit. When it moves away, it interrupts it. Thus, when the fork is vibrating at a high frequency, it creates a discontinuous current set at the fork's frequency.
American
Date: 1920-1950
Object number: 1997-1-1050
Louis Jules Duboscq
Date: circa 1870
Object number: 1997-1-0929
Rudolph Koenig
Date: circa 1890
Object number: WJ0042
Louis Jules Duboscq
Date: circa 1870
Object number: 1997-1-0930
Rudolph Koenig
Date: circa 1889
Object number: 1997-1-0884
Valantine & Carr
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: has bolt
Object number: 1998-1-0675
The W. M. Welch Scientific Company
Date: 1950-1960
Object number: 1998-1-0450
