New-York tribune., 1907-09-24
TIMELY AUTO TOPICS.
BALL BEARING MOTORS.
Subject Discussed at Length at
Manufacturers' Meeting.

At the meeting of the mechanical branch Of the
Association OF Licensed Automobile Manufacturers
yesterday the ball-bearing equipped motor car was
the subject of elaborate discussion. For some time
the engineers of the association have been expert
n1enting with the methods and theories for the
construction of cars to give greater motor eff
cheney than heretofore.
A carefully prepared paper on the subject was
road by Frank Stearns, who has probably had
more experience in the construction of babearing
motors than any other manufacturer He explained
that the of ball bearings in motor. while a
radical departure from ordinary practice, seemed
to be step forward in the construction of motors
of permanent character One of the principal ad-
vantages is the elimination Of journal friction.
thereby Increasing the eficiency of the motor An
other point which is Of pertinent interest to every
owner of an automobile is it's mechanical sim
plicty 1t is almost impossible to improperly as
semble ball bearing motors. 1t also does away
with complication of fabrication systems. and the
highest efficiency is almost assured by its sim
plicty
Mr. stearns pointed out that from structural
point of view the bal-bearing motor is far ahead
of the plain bearing one. for IL gives Increased
liability with minimum amount Of attention
He also pointed out that it was practically noise
less and that II was almost impossible TO develop
rornding in the bearing because there is practt-
cany no the parts He continued by say
ing:
3'The ball-bearing motor is more powerful. faster
and freer from troubles than a motor of the plain
hearing type, and the Of these bearings in
hundreds of has convinced us that this con-
stfuction is right and must become standard in all
high-grade construction
Papers the same subject were read by E T.
At the afternoon session report Of the tire
committee was read. the subject being a two-part
or detachable rim. The report of the test COM
nfttee of the engine tests which have been made
on Thomas Detroit motor at the Hartford labo-
ratory of association proved Of great interest
II was clearly shown that considerable deprecia-
ton in power of motor was caused by the fric-
ton Of the piston rings, and suggestions were
made for the elimination of this which will be a
great benefit 10 the members Of the branch.
The recommendation of the test committee.
which held a meeting in Hartford last week. for
series of elaborate alcohol tests approved. and
It is expected that these experiments will begin
in the near future.
Owners and manufacturers are taking such an
interest in the automobile race meeting OF the
Morris Park Motordrome Club at Morris Park on
Friday and Saturday that the racing committee.
wishing to protect the drivers and machines from
any possible accidents has decided that not more
than twenty cars can start in the "twice-around-
the-clock' race
Al Poole who has always accompanied Joe Tracy
IN the Vanderbilt Cup race as mecharic1an, and
George Robertson. Of Vanderbilt Cup race fame.
will be the pilots of the 50-hOrsepower SIM
plex car in the twenty-four- hour race.
The American Chauffeur s(Incorporated) has Sc
cured the 60-horsepower Darracq Vanderbilt cup
racer and the car will be sent against the track
record Of 81 seconds at Morris Park on Friday or
Saturday. The car is barred from taking part In
the twenty-FOur race, but the management Is
trying 10 get up a match at five miles Gus
Sheenhan. who was OF the first drivers TO pilot
this car in the United States. will be at the wheel
when the attempt is made 10 lower the record