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).
Tests conducted to resolve oil leakage issues in propeller shaft universal joints.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\T\2January1929-June1929\ Scan207 | |
| Date | 1st April 1929 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} [text struck through] c. to M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Der. [text struck through] c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} [text struck through] ORIGINAL Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/LG24. 4. 29. X7340 X4549 PROPELLER SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINTS. We have been carrying out a number of tests to overcome the trouble of oil leakage from the [text struck through] propeller shaft joints which took place on 21-EX and 22-EX in France. We have a rig upon which we can run these joints up to 2750 r.p.m. and as much as 3" out of line. We have found that in order to prevent leakage it is necessary to use some jointing compound such as Heldtite on the faces and on the locking washers beneath the nuts. No matter how carefully the joints are made, Heldtite or some similar solution appears to be necessary to prevent loss of oil. This is confirmed by tests on the car running 10,000 miles at Chateauroux. On our rig tests, chrome leather washers retain the oil better than felt. We are carrying out tests on the road to see if leather washers have any tendency to perish. We find that it is easier to prevent leakage if gear oil is used in these joints. The wear on dynamometer test seems O.K. We are also using this oil on the 10,000 miles test. It is not very easy to re-fill the [text struck through] joint with gear oil as at present arranged. We recommend an Enots lubricator similar to that used on the 20 HP. propeller shaft in place of one of the plugs. This special lubricator has a second non-return valve and consequently does not leak contd :- | ||