Posted by AW on February 24, 2003 at 11:57:10:
In Reply to: A question of physics posted by Sven Bring on February 24, 2003 at 09:50:10:
Sure, the side load on the bearings will be a little less in drawing B.
At the low forces and speeds involved in the operation of tuba valves, why worry? If you keep the bearings well lubricated, they should work well. You are going to get more viscous friction from the internal lubricant from the rotors moving inside the casings than you get from the end bearings. And, you need that internal lubricant so that the rotors will make an airtight seal.
It would be possible to mount some small ball bearings or needle bearings on the axles of your rotary valves, and do the same thing with the linkages and with the key axles. My guess is that it wouldn't make much difference, or at least not enough to be worth the trouble and expense. Has anyone tried to do this?
Allen Walker