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).
Issues with a sample delivery of Hessbright ball bearings for American engines, requesting an urgent experimental test.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 38\1\ Scan006 | |
| Date | 24th April 1918 | |
| R.R. 235a (500 T) (S.D. 408. 26-4-17.) Bm. 2/156/15. X3403 U.W. To EH. from BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} 24th April - 1918. BY6/P24418. AMERICAN ENGINES. RE PLANET WHEEL BALL BEARINGS. (HESSBRIGHT BALL BEARINGS 6307) We have just received a sample delivery of ball bearings for the above which Mr Olley spoke about last November. I have examined the bearings in question, of which we have received two dozen, and find that in spite of my cables they have despatched the bearings with steel cages, non spigotted, and that only eight balls are fitted instead of ten, owing to their being no "entering slot" to the race. There is one feature, however, which apart from the question of the steel race which I consider not usable which will make it worth while to give the bearings a test, namely, that the bearings themselves are of the deep groove type having specially large balls. The cage itself is very light and it is possible that with the light load the bearings may run without giving us trouble. I have, however, cabled to the States, pointing out my previous wires and stating that we must have at least phosphor bronze cages. Would you kindly treat this matter as urgent and run the bearings on an experimental engine, giving them as much running as possible and at high speeds under full load. If we could manage to obtain 50 hours at 2000 revs and full load, we should be able to draw better conclusions as to the reliability of this particular scheme. We are handing you herewith three of the bearing in question, which are made by the Hessbright Co, and numbered 6307. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | ||