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).
Causes of and potential cures for flywheel vibrations in car engines.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 137\4\ scan0072 | |
| Date | 28th December 1929 | |
| E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} ) HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} ) FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} ) (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) x634 R3/M28.12.29. C. to SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} C. to RG.{Mr Rowledge} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} CAR ENGINES. FLYWHEEL VIBRATIONS. Mr. Tressilian says that one of the vibrations on the above is that of the flywheel. Here again it seems to be periodical, but probably has nothing to do with the torsional rigidity of the crankshaft. The flywheel is supported by the crankshaft, and if struck on the side by a mallet it would vibrate sideways, and also slightly on the periphery at some rate depending on its inertia and the stiffness in bending of the crankshaft. One can only think that this speed is the same as the revs. at which it takes place, or some harmonic of it. The cure would be to raise the periodicity out of reach if this could be done either by increasing the stiffness in bending of the crankshaft or reducing the weight or diameter of the flywheel. I imagine both can be done in a small degree without much trouble. Kindly do this and retest if we are on the right track. My impression is that the force setting the flywheel vibrations is the out of balance of the first crank, con rod, and piston, but possibly the force due to the explosion on the piston bending the crankpin may also help. I don't think this is very serious, but should be followed up without delay. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||