Friction, Lubrication and the Lubricants in Horology — John Shaqi
Friction, Lubrication and the Lubricants in HorologyLewis, W. T. (William T.)
Science
Friction, Lubrication and the Lubricants in Horology
Lewis, W. T. (William T.)
Clock and watch making; Friction; Lubrication and lubricants
But in a delicate machine like a watch, especially in the escapement,
where the power is so light, and where the rubbing surfaces are so hard,
smooth and regular, the solid friction is so minute as compared to the
fluid friction, that the former is relatively very slight, as compared
with the latter. The laws of fluid friction are more nearly applicable
in this instance.
There are thus, evidently, two limiting cases between which all examples
of satisfactorily lubricated surfaces fall; the one limit is that of
purely solid friction, which limit being passed, and sometimes before,
abrasion ensues; the other limit is that at which the resistance is
entirely due to the friction of the film of fluid which separates the
surfaces of the solids completely.
~42. The Laws of Friction of Lubricated Surfaces~ are evidently neither
those of solid friction nor those of fluid friction, but will resemble
more nearly the one or the other, as the limits described in the
previous paragraph are approached. The value of the coefficient of
friction varies with every change of velocity, of pressure, and of
temperature, as well as with the change of character of the surfaces in
contact.
For _perfectly_ lubricated surfaces, were such attainable, assuming it
practicable with complete separation of the surfaces, the laws of
friction, according to Thurston, would become:
1. The coefficient is inversely as the intensity of the pressure, and
the resistance is independent of the pressure.
2. The friction coefficient varies as the square of the speed.
3. The friction varies directly as the area of the journal bearing.
4. The friction varies as the temperature rises, and as the viscosity of
the lubricant is thus decreased (80).
~43. The Methods of Reducing Waste of Energy Caused by Friction~ in time
keeping mechanisms are based upon a few simple principles. It is evident
that to make the work and power so lost a minimum, it is necessary to
adopt the following precautions:
1. Proper choice of materials for rubbing surfaces (29-32).
2. Smooth finish and symmetrical shape of surfaces in contact (29-32 and
38).
3. The use of a lubricant the viscosity of which is adapted to the
pressure between the bearing surfaces (80).
4. The best methods for retaining the lubricant at the places required,
and for providing for a continual supply of the lubricant.
5. The bearing surfaces of such proportions that the lubricant will not
be expelled at normal pressure.
6. The reducing of the diameters of all journals, shoulders and pivots,
to the smallest size compatible with the foregoing conditions, and with
the stresses they are expected to sustain, thus reducing the space,
through which the fluid friction acts, to a minimum (40); as well as
reducing the distance from the axis of the arbor or pinion at which the
friction, both solid and fluid, acts. The work done is independent of
the length of the journal; except as it may modify pressure, and thus
the coefficient of friction.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account