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).
The failure of non-compliant planet wheel ball bearings during preliminary testing for American engines.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 38\6\ Scan031 | |
Date | 25th October 1918 | |
X.3381 To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from HY.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} c.c. Oy. c.c. WH. c.c. Mr Hargreaves. October 25. 1918. BY7/P251018. AMERICAN ENGINES. EPICYCLIC GEAR. PLANET WHEEL BALL BEARING. Referring to my cable of the 24th inst., on the above subject, the bearings in question were not, of course, in accordance with requirements, but as previously pointed out by Mr Olley they were intended to enable us to make some reliability tests at an early date of this particular size of Hessbright bearing, which, as far as dimensions was concerned, could be fitted to the planet wheels. Upon receipt of these bearings originally you will remember I cabled, pointing out that they were not in accordance with our requirements, and America replied they were aware of this, but merely sent them to facilitate preliminary testing. I attach herewith copy of Mr Hives experiments report EH2/LG231018, from which you will note that two out of three bearings have failed, byt the balls splitting and the races consequently chewing up. It is of the utmost importance that we should obtain bearings fitted with ten balls, as called for in my cable of April 25th. HY.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} | ||