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).
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. 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. | ||