by Sir Ray
From time to time I have seen images (cut-away) of friction bearings in their journal boxes, but I don't recall seeing any diagrams or images of the waste/rags (cotton strips?) in-situ showing how they wicked lubricant onto the bearings.
I have read that:
Hobos used to open up the journal box cover, steal a strip of oil-soaked waste, and use that as tinder to start fires (being careful to leave some waste to continue to lube the bearing) - hence I guess in general a bunch of waste must have been stuffed into each journal, but I'm not sure.
Also, I read that sometimes strings from the waste would get caught between the bearing and the brass[?], tangling the waste up with the bearing and potentially causing a hot-box (this sound like a design flaw, to say the least).
So, are there any such images around showing how the waste/lube was packed in the journal box, and how it functioned? Also, was there any different friction bearing lubication system in general usage (as opposed to experimental one-offs) before roller bearings took off in a big way?
I have read that:
Hobos used to open up the journal box cover, steal a strip of oil-soaked waste, and use that as tinder to start fires (being careful to leave some waste to continue to lube the bearing) - hence I guess in general a bunch of waste must have been stuffed into each journal, but I'm not sure.
Also, I read that sometimes strings from the waste would get caught between the bearing and the brass[?], tangling the waste up with the bearing and potentially causing a hot-box (this sound like a design flaw, to say the least).
So, are there any such images around showing how the waste/lube was packed in the journal box, and how it functioned? Also, was there any different friction bearing lubication system in general usage (as opposed to experimental one-offs) before roller bearings took off in a big way?