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).
Description of improvements to an electrical starter system, including a press button, taper armature motors, and a magnetic switch unit.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\R\January1928-March1928\ 2 | |
| Date | 17th January 1928 guessed | |
| (2) Our latest improvements result in a combination which can be described, and diagrams provided, by EFC. They consist of: (1) A one way press button with silver & carbon contacts. EFC. says we have good earlier design for this item. (2) The motors with out of centre and taper armature (patentable) moving "outwards" towards the flywheel carrying spring back pinion, and when nearly completing its outward movement, allowing electrical contacts to make the main switch circuit - (patentable.) If not in the hands of Derby, is with E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer}, and is very urgent. (3) The double magnetic switch unit (patentable) with the latest idea of interlock as described above (patentable.) This I (R) am working upon to try for maximum reliability and simplicity and easy parts to make. It will be noticed that all the contacts where break occurs are protected by either a second contact of carbon or by non-inductive resistance. The object of this more complicated scheme over the 20HP. is silence of engagement and disengagement and avoiding damage to the engaging corners of the gears. It incidentally allows of the possibility of a larger ratio between the flywheel and the pinion ( resulting in smaller motor and simpler gears), and no need of hardened detachable ring on the flywheel. Fortunately by working at it we have been able to get it simpler than the early form, and it should be lighter and less costly than present 40/50. designed at Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence in 1913. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||