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).
Letter discussing variable pitch fans, fan belt reliability, and related engine cooling system issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149a\3\ scan0217 | |
| Date | 15th November 1937 | |
| HARRISON Mr. C. S. Steadman Rolls-Royce Limited England November 15, 1937 Page 2 available. The same remarks apply to variable pitch fans unless the pitch is controlled by temperature. So far, no satisfactory manufacturing method for such a control device has been worked out, although we have made in the past numerable experimental installations which disclose that this is the desirable way to handle the fan problem. Specifically, with one particular fan we built, the difference between running with cold and hot air was twice the volume of air in hot position. The question of fan combination water pump belt drive has come up here many times, and there are some cars on the market which will operate satisfactorily in the country only, in the event the fan belt is put out of action. One of these cars happens to be the Oldsmobile 6; however, the reliability of such a system is very much open to question, as so much depends upon the direction of the wind in relation to the car motion and the presence of other vehicles on the highway. The Packard you mention should boil in that it is fitted with shutters and of course as soon as the circulation stops, the shutters will remain more or less in a closed position. However, the fan belt service situation is fairly well taken care of in this country by the attention given to fan belts in hot territories particularly by the service station attendants; that is, the people who fill the cars with gasoline and oil, and invariably they are in a position to supply a service belt in the event one is necessary; or at least, give a warning to the owner that such a piece of equipment should be replaced as soon as possible. Trusting you will find some of the above information useful, remain Yours very truly, L. P. Saunders LPS:BKW | ||