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).
Issues with the Bendix drive starter motor and a comparison with the alternative Bijur scheme.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 40\5\ Scan112 | |
| Date | 1st December 1922 | |
| HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}2/LGS.12.22. BIJUR TYPE BENDIX DRIVE FOR STARTER MOTOR. The troubles we have had with the present type Bendix drive on the 20 HP. car are :- 1. We have had 5 or 6 of the torsional springs break. This puts the starter motor out of action and it is fairly difficult piece to replace. 2. Also, the teeth on the geared ring on the flywheel become badly damaged after being in use for some time. From our experience on experimental cars we should say that the teeth will be permanently damaged after 25/30,000 miles. This is purely approximate as it depends upon the number of times the starter is operated. With the Bijur scheme there is no torsional spring to break. It is also very much less likely to damage the teeth. Our tests show, however, that the teeth are still damaged to some extent with the Bijur, but not to such a large degree. It is a very definite improvement over that we are using at present. From our experience so far, which is limited, we do not consider that the Bijur scheme can be looked upon as an entire solution of the starter motor engagement troubles. We consider that we have got to seek a scheme in which the crash engagement is entirely eliminated. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||