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).
Advantages and trial results of steam engine cooling systems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 38\2\ Scan251 | |
| Date | 30th September 1924 | |
| To PN.{Mr Northey} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to BJ. Handwritten: X3456 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}2/LG30.9.24. SUGGESTIONS ON ENGINE COOLING. Handwritten: Y766 Handwritten: X3456 With reference to FN10/DN29.9.24. We are aware of the cooling methods which have been tried in U.S.A. The steam cooling which you refer to has been considered by us. The advantages claimed for this system are :- (1) The temperature of the water in the jackets of the engine is constant irrespective of the load and speed or weather conditions. (2) Normal operating temperature is attained readily and the time taken to reach this temperature is affected comparatively little by outside weather conditions. (3) The heat dissipating capacity of the radiator for a given set of conditions is increased in direct proportion to the increase in the temperature difference between hot water and air, and between steam and air. (4) The terms 'over-cooling' and 'under-cooling' lose their meaning - 'over-cooling' is impossible - 'under-cooling' would result merely in a loss of steam through the vent or safety valve. Springfield actually fitted up a 40/50 HP. car with the above scheme of cooling. Their report, after 3,000 miles running with this scheme, was as follows :- (a) Engine detonations increase considerably. (b) Gland in gear pump blown out by pressure. (c) Gear type water pump very noisy. (It is necessary to have this type of pump with this scheme. (d) Impossible to tell quantity of water in engine. (e) Had considerable trouble with radiator leaking. contd :- | ||