Why the main external axle of the Bessler wheels was so much elongated?

[path_finder]

This is just my personal explanation, but if true, it could be a very important clue.
I was concerned by this point during the building of a wheel containing two prime-movers in quadrature, rotating on the same axis but linked by a third assembly.

The drawing hereafter shows an heavy circular mass (in dark blue) with an axle (in light blue).
We suppose that for some other reason the left part of this mass cannot be fixed on the rotating axis (in red), per example because the presence of a mechanism passing through this axis on the left side.
On theorical point of view nothing avoid to use only one bearing for supporting this part.
But any good mechanical engineer will immediately detect a conception failure in the design A of the picture.
To be sure that the mass rotates in a vertical plane and safely, it's necessary to align the axle with a sufficient lenght (almost reducing the torque) like in the B design.

As observed on the several Bessler drawings, the main elongated axle seems to be in fact a roller bearing (not a ball bearing), and it's so long lenght can only be justified by the fact that inside the wheel was a rotating mass with no support point on the other side.
If my explanation is true we know now an important step of the inner construction.
I know there are a lot of builders here, wich will confirm my assumption.

[ruggerodk]

path_finder wrote:

and it's so long lenght can only be justified by the fact that inside the wheel was a rotating mass with no support point on the other side.

As far as I can see from the drawing, the extra lenght of the 'wooden' axle is on both sides of the wheel, and is needed for the work done i.e. winding rope, running an Archimedes screw and lifting heavy stamps.

Why, what should be the purpose?
A separate free rolling axle (crank) on the other side driving perhaps the secret mechanism?
That could be interesting to follow....

regards
ruggero ;-)

[path_finder]

dear ruggero,
The two roller bearing cages are obviously linked with the wheel's frame, and therefore are linked together (and there is the surface where is attached the rope), that is not the point.
In my explanation the light blue axles are rotating inside the long cages on both sides.There is no evidence that these axles were linked internally, and therefore - may be - they were rotating at their own different speed, linked to two different rotating masses inside the wheel.
I modified my drawing for the explanation (the diameter of the axles are exagerated).

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For the builders (for the benefit of the too much numerous theoricians also):
the practical solution is shown in the two shots hereafter.
As ever made I used some polycarbonate plate (5mm thick) in view to see everything inside the wheel.
The spacers are made with screwed rods, linking the second small squared plate with the main side plate.
The bearings are units for the skateboards (from Decathlon).
The nuts are locked with some nailpaint against the vibrations (an efficient and cheap idea I got in Berkeley/CA in 1976).
This construction is similar with the Bessler shape (two elongated bearings at each side of the wheel) as shown in the second picture where we can see the empty frame of the flywheel, wich must be supported by two pillars (not shown here)
I hope this will help those not confident yet in the practical work.

[path_finder]

Here is a picture of the frame now supplied with the two prime-movers.
The synchronization mechanism (needed in addition between the both) is not shown.
The small rollers at the end of each crossbar are in case of path deviancies (if the plane is not really vertical, they roll on the inner side of the plate), but with a rigid and strong mechanical structure they could be not useful anymore at all and should disappear. They increase the friction but this effect is very marginal.
The prime-movers include also some rods in transparent plastic, so far the weights seem to be swinging in the air, a pretty impressive scenic scene.
Each prime-mover is acting an half of turn.
See per example the Parson epicycloidal engine:
http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/P ... parsep.htm
At the middle of the page, the two animations.