Ham Baker paddle gear

[Heartland]

Understanding the mechanism is only part of the study. There is the issue of why?

 

This type of paddle gear has the appearance of the innovative. What were the factors that decided the use of this type of gear from Knowle through to Napton. On page 167 of Silent Highways I include a drawing of a lock chamber of the proposed Hatton Locks with paddle gear shown. The inclination of that gear may or may not have been a factor with operation of this gear. I was was trying to recall examples elsewhere, but cannot think of any.

 

Ray Shill

[Laurence Hogg]

Understanding the mechanism is only part of the study. There is the issue of why?

 

This type of paddle gear has the appearance of the innovative. What were the factors that decided the use of this type of gear from Knowle through to Napton. On page 167 of Silent Highways I include a drawing of a lock chamber of the proposed Hatton Locks with paddle gear shown. The inclination of that gear may or may not have been a factor with operation of this gear. I was was trying to recall examples elsewhere, but cannot think of any.

 

Ray Shill

Ham Baker are still in business and this type of gear can be found on many flow control installations, it was not intentional to be used only as paddles from what I understand simply an "off the shelf" product fulfilling a need in a better way than conventional gear.