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).
Potential patent infringement with A.C. over a diaphragm petrol pump and related negotiations.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27a\2\ Scan108 | |
| Date | 14th September 1932 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} X2677. BY.6/G.14.9.32. A.C. PETROL PUMP. ------------------- In view of the fact that you informed us that there is a possibility of us having to use a diaphragm petrol pump, which might infringe the A.C. patents, in accordance with our conversation I took the matter up with the A.C. people. They have put the matter in the hands of their Consulting Engineer, Mr. W.W. Constantine, which would appear to indicate that we will get reasonable terms from the point of view of royalties. They mention that the pump is covered by a number of patents, and it will therefore be necessary for me to supply Mr. Constantine with a blueprint showing the arrangement of our pump, so that they will be able to see for themselves exactly what patents are infringed. In writing them, I pointed out that we had an alternative in the use of an engine driven vacuum pump in place of using the induction system for pumping up the autovac. They remark that their friends in America have also used this system, and although the A.C. people having no use for such a scheme have not marketed the device, they have sent me along the blueprints, which I am sending to Mr. Elliott for him to hand on to you for consideration, as a matter of general interest. They say if we are interested they will import samples for us, if we will indicate exactly what we would like to have. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | ||