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).
Experiments to improve the high-speed battery ignition system for Spectre and Bentley models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 163\7\ img230 | |
| Date | 28th December 1933 | |
| x6120. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst.3/MA.28.12.33. HIGH SPEED BATTERY IGNITION SPECTRECodename for Phantom III AND BENTLEY. We have been conducting a number of experiments in connection with improvements to the battery ignition system on the Bentley and also in connection with the battery ignition which will be required for the SpectreCodename for Phantom III. These have been carried out to :- (a) Improve the characteristics of the ignition coil, such that it will deliver a greater number of sparks per second than at present. (b) Improve the mechanical characteristics of the contact breaker to prevent the lever flinging, thus allowing the coil windings to be on contact for a longer time at high speeds. The distributor we have been using for these tests is an R.R. double breaker to LEC.3323. When first tried this distributor gave very poor high speed characteristics and it was found that the cam had been designed with a wrong profile and a new cam was accordingly produced under E's direction and instructed for test. This cam made an enormous difference to the high speed characteristics of the distributor and in comparison with the best known sample distributor of other makes that we have i.e. the Delco-Remy, it compares very favourably. We attach curves taken on :- (1) The very latest Delco-Remy distributor which they are now sending out for use with their ultra high speed ignition coil. | ||