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).
Dynamometer tests of a hypoid rear axle to induce failure under extreme conditions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 136\5\ scan0247 | |
| Date | 1st April 1930 | |
| To Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/RM.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} X 2066. c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Rs.{Sir Henry Royce's Secretary} c. Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders} Ha/Rml/M323.4.30. x2066 x7350 x5350 Hypoid Rear Axle Failures. We have conducted tests on the dynamometer to try and cause an axle failure by low oil level and low atmospheric temperatures. We ran the axle with only 1.5 pts of oil in it. Normally the axle contains from 3 to 4 pts. To accentuate the severity of the test we selected the thickest oil from the axles that had already been on the road and used this. We also packed ice round the axle cases to reproduce the air weather conditions. In these circumstances, having removed the cylinders to avoid warming the rear axles unduly rapidly, we started up from dead cold and ran straight up to 70 miles per hour which we continued at full tort for 15 mins., we then continued to run full tort for a further 10 mins. An examination of the axle indicated that it was not damaged. We allowed it to stand over night and again started up dead cold. This time running full tort bottom gear for 10 mins first., repeated test on each in turn. The condition of the axle at the end of these tests was quite O.K. We consider that these produce:- | ||