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).
Proposal for redesigning the starter gear for the Eagle engine to reduce cost while maintaining strength.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 37\2\ scan 033 | |
| Date | 30th December 1918 | |
| AERO. EXP. DEPT. A/53. 30.12.18. Contd:- trouble, produce a very satisfactory electrical starter, not occupying any room more than the presEnt engine, and leave it possible to use a dynamo as arranged withthe hand starter. At some future date when we are modifying and simplifying the Eagle engine, we propose to somewhat re-design the hand starter gear with a view to cheapening its constructi n. It must not be forgotten, however, that our experience points out that the starting gear is often subject to very heavy stresses during starting, and we think that our original desIgns have proved themselves superior to a possibly cheaper and simplier design, which had not the great strength that is provided by the final epicyclic reduction. We propose that if the Lucas people find any difficulty in making the small reduction suggested by us, that they deliver the motors without the gearing, arranged so that we can fit the gearing to it, which would then be constructed at the same time as others-parts of the gears for this electric starter, that is, it will be made part and parcel of the presEnt hand starter, and be called "Combined starting gear for electric motor, and hand operation." Yours faithfully, FOR ROLLS-ROYCE LIMITED. Engineer-in-chief. | ||