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 electrical failure of a new petrol pump switch during testing, leading to its disapproval.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 168a\2\ img337 | |
| Date | 17th June 1937 | |
| By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wst. c. HRC. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wst.14/AP.17.6.37 Re. New Petrol Pump Switch. By/RD.8/B.9.6.37 This switch has again been subjected to our usual tests and although completing the cycle of tests without mechanical failure has failed several times electrically. An extract from the Laboratory report reads as follows:- "The switch was operated through the complete cycle 12,000 times controlling three standard petrol pumps. The middle blade of the switch failed to make contact at regular intervals during the whole of the test and the same trouble occurred with another blade during the latter end of the test. These failures were due to the contact surfaces becoming dirty due to sparking. There is no rubbing effect to clean the surfaces. By cleaning the contacts with sand paper the circuit was immediately restored." We cannot therefore approve this switch. as the existing switch modified now appears satisfactory do you consider any useful purpose is served in proceeding any further with this new design? Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wst. | ||