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).
Technical memorandum discussing two methods for axle oil retention and an analysis of current seal failures.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 114\1\ scan0175 | |
| Date | 10th March 1939 | |
| 1015 EH. Rem/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} c. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} BY.1/G.10.3.39. RE: AXLE - OIL RETENTION. There are two reasonable methods of oil retention, which are likely to be permanent.- (a). Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry{Shadwell Grylls}'s scheme of adding a screw return behind the oil seal. This, however, demands that parts are made truly concentric and remain so. (b). Two oil seals could be used, facing each other, and the space between filled with the rather treacly type of Vacuum oil. This would keep the seals adequately lubricated and soft. The present failures are, I am afraid, no accidental cases, but result from a common fault. The nearside in England is swamped, the offside dry, as much from their relative positions to the gear as from road camber. The offside dries off through not being replenished and working in a warm dry atmosphere, and then when a customer who in England habitually drives well on his own side goes to France and drives on the R.H. side of the road, the oil seal leather which has contracted all over is tight on the shaft and free in outer diameter, hence the seal revolves and pumps the oil positively out of the axle box into the tube. If the leathers were kept oiled, as my suggestion entails and enforces, then the outer seal of the pan would be protected from heat, would always be greased and would remain effective. Failure is not a case of a bad seal, but a good one spoilt. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | ||