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).
Test report on the Hele-Shaw filter detailing its failure due to choking and bursting, with a recommendation for a relief valve.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 44\1\ Scan168 | |
| Date | 3rd October 1927 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to RG.{Mr Rowledge} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to OY. X4037 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/LG3.10.27. HELE-SHAW FILTER. We carried out a test on this filter. It was employed as a final filter in series with a gauze filter of our standard sump mesh and a centrifugal filter. For actual filtering this device was very efficient, but in spite of the fact that it was supplied with oil that was practically clean, having already been filtered twice, it choked up rather rapidly. Having once choked, we found that it could not be cleared by the use of an air pump as indicated in the instructions, and during later tests the top of the filter case burst due to the restriction of the oil flow and the resultant back pressure. We suggest that the filter should certainly be provided with a relief valve by-pass to deal with this contingency. On the whole our experience has shewn that for edge filtration of oil, some positive method of cleaning is necessary owing to the viscous nature of the fluid and so far the filter that has shewn most promise is the Auto-Kleen type. These people are at present making sump filters for cars, the idea apparently being that the cleaning device is operated under the bonnet every 1000 miles while an oil tank is provided with an easy means of replenishing and emptying the sump to conform with the simplicity of the one-shot lubricating system. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/W. A.{Mr Adams} Robotham. | ||