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).
Letter to the Autovac Manufacturing Co. detailing a standard test procedure for Autovac fuel systems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 40\4\ Scan305 | |
| Date | 27th August 1929 | |
| X 3579 Expl. Dept. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} 5/MJ. August 27th.1929. The Autovac Manfg. Co. Ltd., Heaton Norris, Stockport. Dear Sirs, With reference to you letter of the 20th. inst. Full details of the test to which we are subjecting your Autovacs here are as follows :- STANDARD TEST. The Autovac tank should be fixed in an upright position, and connected to an S.S. vacuum pump by a standard suction pipe (5/16" dia. copper tubing, 66" long.) Petrol should be lifted through a standard petrol pipe (5/16" dia. copper tubing 204" long.), the surface of the petrol being 35ins., below the union on the Autovac. The vacuum pump should now be run at 750 r.p.m. (1500 r.p.m. of engine), when delivery of the Autovac should not be less than 82pint/hr. If the above delivery is not obtained, the bouyancy of the float should be checked. When the float is detached from the valve mechanism, it should float in petrol (S.G.=.75) in such a position that the top edge stands .700" above the surface of the liquid. We are sure that if we do not take this precaution, cars will occasionally be let down through insufficient petrol supply. We do not think there is any way of reproducing precisely the conditions under which our mechanical suction pump works. We are therefore forwarding to you under separate cover one of these pumps for you to establish a test. You will doubtless be able to arrange something, when you will be able to return the pump to us, or it can be purchased at a nominal | ||