The development and testing of Vandervell main bearings, comparing them to standard silver alloy and lead-bronze types.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 115\4\ scan0108 | |
| Date | 14th October 1940 | |
| R.R. 206 (ST) (4319/24/8/39) C.E. 1020a EXPERIMENTAL DEPARTMENT REPORT. REFERENCE:- Lov {Mr Lovesey} /AT.1/GR. {George Ratcliffe} 13.11.40. Subject of Report:- Main Bearing Development Vandervell Bearings. Rig and Engine Tests. Report No. MR. 97. (Incorporating Report No. MR.80.) General Conclusion:- 1. Fatigue tests on the Single Panel Rig have shown that bearings in the standard RR 54 silver alloy have a life of approximately four to five times that of the Vandervell tri-metal bearings and bearings in the LA {L. A. Archer} 4 and LA {L. A. Archer} 4D alloy series about ten to twelve times this, before break up commences. It therefore appears extremely unlikely that Vandervell bearings will give satisfactory results on the Merlin(Aero Engine). 2. Vandervell tri-metal bearings are more satisfactory than those produced by the same firm in lead-bronze. 3. Break-up conditions imposed by inserting the thin shell in a steel liner are inherently no more difficult than those imposed by inserting a thin shell bearing direct in the crankcase. This may not necessarily apply to the anti-seizing properties of the bearing. 4. Engine tests have confirmed rig experience that the Vandervell tri-metal bearings are unable to withstand the severe loading conditions imposed in an aircraft engine. The loading in such a case is much more severe than that represented by theoretical consideration of gas and inertia loading, and may be due in a large extent to the deflection of crankshaft and crankcase an example of this being the difference of 100% in load capacity shown by similar bearings tested on the crankcase rig and on the single panel rigs. P.T.O. Copies of Report Circulated to:- Report to be noted for further actions by:- Test carried out on:- Single Panel Bearing Rig. By:- Lov {Mr Lovesey} /RVM/TBR Test No. Date:- 14.10.40. | ||
From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).