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).
Urgent need for magnesium copper and Y-alloy pistons, preferring cross-web designs over Zephyr types.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 66\1\ scan0098 | |
| Date | 7th July 1926 | |
| To RG.{Mr Rowledge} } FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} } c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} BJ. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} X8040 R4/M7.7.26. RE. AERO ENGINE PISTONS. X.4112 X.3852 X8040 X.3996 X. 2603 We must have magnesium copper and Y. alloy pistons quickly, assuming Y. alloy would be the most reliable light alloy we know, and the magnesium the lightest. The lighter magnesium piston may save main bearings and con. rods in aero engines, and in cars over-running vibrations so we shall require magnesium copper pistons in our Phantom, and also they should be tested in aero engines to prove their reliability. We are quite off the Zephyr type pistons, and for many reasons we think the cross web types are superior. We propose you should test a single bolter pedestal type piston in magnesium copper alloy for the Phantom to the design you already have, and a cast cross web type for Falcon 10. and Condor aero engines, also a cross web type in Y. metal forged for F.10 and Condor: no Zephyr and no Ricardo pistons. A scraper ring just under the piston pin should be used for aero engines. The piston pin should be floating with aluminium plugs made of good bearing alloy in each end: also try copper magnesium. We ax at WW. have in hand designs for cross web type pistons to suit Falcon 10. and Condor, which we hope to complete this week. They are for forged Y. metal, or cast in magnesium copper, or forged in same. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||