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Failure analysis report for a 3½ Litre Bentley Chassis fan, detailing the cause and proposed remedies.


Identifier  ExFiles\Box 86\5\  scan0013
Date  5th January 1934
  
GWH {George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}
See me
Hk {Col. T. Harker - Sales}
E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer}
Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}
C. Max.
BY.6/G.5.1.34.
X 224
3½ LITRE BENTLEY CHASSIS - FAN.

Mx. {John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} 8/T.5.1.34.

From an examination of the parts, it is
quite clear that the order of the failure was as follows :-

(1). Rivets failed on one blade.
(2). The blade was thrown off due to centrifugal force.
(3). The unbalanced effects resulting immediately snapped off the fan bracket.

REMEDIES :-

(a). Increase size of rivets.
(b). Consider Duralumin for blades instead of steel.

It may be considered that the increased cost of Duralumin may be excessive, but I think it would be well worth while.

I am sending the broken parts of the fan into E's office.

OK

BY. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}
BY
  
  
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).


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