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).
Letter quoting a response from Robinhood Engineering Works regarding faulty K.L.G. ignition plugs on a 20 HP engine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 58\3\ Scan062 | |
| Date | 29th January 1924 | |
| Ep.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} from Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Ms. c. to RPG. -6198e- Wd{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead}5/WJ29.1.24. Re 20 HP. K.L.G. Ignition Plugs. Referring to EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}8/H14.1.24 and EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}17/H21.1.24, we are now in receipt of a letter from the Robinhood Engineering Works Ltd. dated 28th inst. as follows:- "With reference to the recent visit of Mr.Noel "Van Raalte to your Works, when he had the pleasure "of an interview with Mr.Hives, we understand from "Mr.Van Raalte that in a certain engine you had "trouble, which was eventually traced to a partial "short circuit or surface leakage from the exterior "portion of the central electrode of the plug to the "steel gland. He brought certain plugs back with "him, and we have submitted these to the most "stringent tests possible and can find no sign of "electrical breakdown. We may say these plugs "were manufactured in October 1922. "We are very disturbed to hear of this trouble, "and are unable to understand the cause, as it is "the first case of the kind we have come across. "We recently sent you for your test one dozen "of the type No.229. These plugs are our latest "production and, in our opinion, are a considerable "improvement on older types. In addition to the "stepped interior insulation which has the effect "of rendering the plug capable of withstanding more "severe oiling and soot depositing conditions, the "actual insulation where the joint is made is thicker "and the joint itself is of improved design, the steel "gland being reduced in diameter parallel for a consider- "able length where it nips the mica sleeve for "joint-making purposes instead of locally as was the "case with the older types. "We shall be very interested to hear the results "of your tests on these latest plugs, and if you decide "that they are better for your purpose than the older "type, we shall of course be only too pleased to take "back any of the K.{Mr Kilner} type plugs you may have in stock "in replacement for the more modern type." If you will let me know what reply you wish to address to the Robinhood Engineering Works Ltd., I will see that it is forwarded. Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} | ||