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 Goshawk II's electrical equipment, discussing dynamo options and a proposed oil-immersed starter switch.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 180\M1\1\ img083 | |
| Date | 1st October 1921 | |
| To FFC.) from R.{Sir Henry Royce} " HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}) Copy to CJ. " WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} [Stamp] ORIGINAL R2/G13/10/21. 4 X.4359. RE "GOSHAWK II" ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. Regarding the lighting equipment, we notice that you have condemned the Smiths' attempt at making us a dynamo. You have so far abandoned the Lucas first attempt because of the necessity of the four wires and complication. The C.A.V. and second Lucas attempt has not yet arrived, so that we are depending for the moment upon the Rotax and [underlined] our own machine [/underlined], both of which are suitable for the diagram of wiring already sent you. X805 Regarding Mr. Hives' conclusions about a carbon contact on the starter switch, there seems to be some little doubt as to the reason - (1) Why the carbons fail if made and held sufficiently robustly. (2) What happens when one carbon and one copper surface is used, i.e. whether the spark formed in the presence of the carbon de-oxidises the metal and so enables a good contact to be made. (3) and thirdly, it occurred to me that a switch with copper contacts only [underlined] should work better immersed in oil so as to avoid oxidisation, stop the sparks promptly and render the contacts smooth working [/underlined]. Such a switch we shall attempt to design, in the meantime we should like you to try whether any of the switches you have can be temporarily rigged up to work in oil. R.{Sir Henry Royce} [Handwritten Note] The genesis of the Goshawk foot pedal operated oil immersed starter switch! [Stamp] RECEIVED 1 OCT 1921 FO [Footer Text] R R C Ltd OCT-1959 S & S LTD.-4359 | ||