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).
Outlining proposed developments and improvements for the Kestrel engine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 178\3\ img004 | |
| Date | 7th January 1932 | |
| ~~RC.{R. Childs}~~ ) FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} ) (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) ~~O.{Mr Oldham} to SS.{S. Smith} WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}~~ R4/M4.1.32. Sent from WW. 7.1.32. Kub57. PROPOSED NEW 'KESTRELS' (FOR DEVELOPMENT.) It was decided that experience-(R.{Sir Henry Royce} and C.I. engines)- and the Air Ministry's wish, made us prefer the articulated rods. CONNECTING RODS. Mr. Elliott tried over some drawings, which suggest that although not absolutely necessary, it will be advisable to raise the cylinder head slightly, so that we can - if we wish - use scraper ring below the piston pin (with extra groove double scraper), and longer piston which I think would add to reliability. CRANKSHAFT. Naturally one feels that with the greater speed and power we ought to be using some amount of balance weight, if only 25%. We have now proved that these are worth their weight even in aero engines, and are quite necessary in car work where the engine speed has also become so high. CYL. LINER & CRANKCHAMBER DISTORTION. I am getting quite tired of our present construction unless it can again be definitely improved as regards liner distortion. The following are some of the possibilities: (1) Stiffening the crankchamber facing. (2) Adding the 2 extra studs as in 'H' and 'F': this also improves the gas joint. (3) Adopt the alternate sch. of construction, perhaps lightened. (4) Examine the possibilities of more ordinary liner construction. These notes are merely a few suggestions that have impressed me, and are intended to help rather than interfere. We must expect to do something better if we ask for greater output, or we shall be down in reliability, and our 'F' engine is now many years old. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||