Chronograph, Electric

An apparatus for indicating electrically, and thereby measuring, the lapse of time. The periods measured may be exceedingly short, such as the time a photographic shutter takes to close, the time required by a projectile to go a certain distance, and similar periods. A drum rotated with even and known velocity may be marked by a stylus pre ed upon it by the action of an electro-magnet when a key is touched, or other disturbance. Then the space between two marks would give the period elapsing between the two disturbances of the circuit. As it is practically impo ible to secure even rotation of a drum, it is nece ary to constantly measure its rate of rotation. This is effected by causing a tuning-fork of known rate of vibration to be maintained in vibration electrically. A fine point or bristle attached to one of its arms, marks a sinuous line upon the smoked surface of the cylinder. This gives the basis for most accurately determining the smallest intervals. Each wave drawn by the fork corresponds to a known fraction of a second. For projectiles, the cutting of a wire opens a circuit, and the opening is recorded instead of the closing. By firing so as to cut two wires at a known distance apart the rate is obtained by the chronograph. Synonym--Chronoscope. 119  STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.