After about 1910 Baker valve gear was the main competitor to Walschaerts valve gear for steam locomotives in the United States. Strictly speaking it was not a valve gear but a variable expansion mechanism adapted to the Walschaerts layout replacing the expansion link and sliding die block. The Baker arrangement used more pivot bearings or pin joints, but avoided the die slip inherent to the expansion link, with the aim of lessening wear and the need for service; it could also facilitate longer valve travel.
Famous quotes containing the words baker and/or gear:
“Updike was the first to take the penile sensorium under the wing of elaborate metaphorical prose.”
—Nicholson Baker (b. 1957)
“But Lord, remember me and mine
Wi’ mercies temporal and divine!
That I for grace and gear may shine,
Excelled by nane!
And a’ the glory shall be thine!
Amen! Amen!”
—Robert Burns (1759–1796)