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).
Progress report on piston, internal combustion turbine, and Exe engine development.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\1\ scan0103 | |
| Date | 18th April 1940 guessed | |
| (3) (2) PISTONS. Lr{Mr Ellor}/Psn described the development work in progress on double girder pistons, Process "A" pistons and pressed pistons, cast pistons and pistons made from extruded blanks. Development is being held up due to the available test beds being utilised on 100 octane Merlin Type Test work and Lr{Mr Ellor}/Psn requested consideration to the provision of new test beds. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} said that the position could be dealt with by ensuring that we get the maximum possible running hours per day on the existing beds, by the two new beds at Sinfin which will be completed in about three weeks and by making use of available test beds at Crewe and Hucknall. (3) MISCELLANEOUS. Lr{Mr Ellor}/Psn reported the development position on valve springs, Vulture connecting rod bolts, coolant pumps, valves and big end bearings - no special comments. Lr{Mr Ellor}/Psn exhibited sample bearing bushes made from rolled strip produced at very small cost by Vandervell and requested guidance as to the policy with regard to the incorporation of such types of bushes in future engines - it was agreed that development should proceed. (D) INTERNAL COMBUSTION TURBINE. (1) JET PROPULSION AND EXHAUST TURBINES. Gr.{George Ratcliffe} reported that at a recent A.R.C. Engine sub-Committee, the A.R.C. agreed that jet propulsion is a better way of utilising exhaust power than the exhaust turbo. (2) INTERNAL COMBUSTION TURBINE. Gr{George Ratcliffe} showed and described further schemes of I.C.T. including a smaller unit of approximately 1000 HP. and an alternative arrangement of unit permitting the use of light alloys in the place of expensive heat resisting steels for the combustion chamber. A scheme of test rig for this latter type of combustion chamber was also shown, together with proposals for preliminary work on I.C.T. blades. A further scheme exhibited showed a shrouded blower propellor of approximately 7 feet diameter applied to the Vulture and incorporating coolant and oil radiators in the propellor cowl. (E) EXE ENGINE. (1) ENGINE DEVELOPMENT. Lr{Mr Ellor}/CTL outlined the present position the major items being:- (a) The conventionally ported cylinder conversion engine (D.8) will be completed by the end of June. (b) The majority of design and detail work for the magneto ignition engine with revised blower etc. is finished and the first engine should be completed in 4 to 5 months. (viz. end of August). (2) EXE BATTLE. Installation work should be completed on D.10 engine for flying to commence on 24th April. (3) EXE ALBACORE. D.6 engine being built for this installation, engine mounting completed - contract position O.K. P.T.O. | ||