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 evolution of a dual radiator system for engine cooling and passenger compartment heating.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 24\1\ Scan049 | |
| Date | 12th December 1931 guessed | |
| 16. provide adequate warmth in the driver's compartment during cold weather. Exhaust heating was tried, and whilst effective in the rear compartment, was not adequate for the driver's compartment. Finally in both cases it was found that an oil radiator was required as the sump did not get sufficient cooling and no convenient method of mounting the oil radiator, without adding further scoops, was found. The idea that I was trying to work out was to build and assemble the whole of the power unit complete with radiator and to be able to test it complete prior to installation in the car, and therefor it seemed desirable to concentrate the radiators at the rear. The difficulties I have enumerated, however, were so great that it seemed clear that a wrong solution was being attempted and accordingly a third system was evolved which has been successful in all respects. In this case (Fig.9) two radiators are again fitted but are situated at the extreme ends of the car and the circulation is arranged with the radiators in series, the front radiator receiving the delivery from the engine. The installation is arranged as a closed system to avoid loss of water on hills as there is sometimes a difference in level of several feet between the two radiators, and for this purpose both relief and suction valves are fitted. The system operates satisfactorily when only half full, and no trouble is experienced with air locks provided the vent valves on the two radiators are opened during the initial filling. The rear radiator shares its position in proximity to the fan with the oil radiator. The advantages of the system are as follows:- 1. A large frontal area of radiator is available as both ends of the car can be utilised. 2. The front passenger compartment can be adequately heated by | ||