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).
Resume of Curtiss Wrights' progress on their Conqueror water-cooled engine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\1\ img077 | |
| Date | 15th January 1934 | |
| ROLLS-ROYCE OF AMERICA, INC. SPRINGFIELD, MASS. January 15, 1934 To: Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From: Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Re: Curtiss Wrights Handwritten: SG{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} W OR RG{Mr Rowledge} E/E/L R L P F/H-R.m 1/11/13 Handwritten: 28.1.34 A brief resume of these peoples' progress is as follows: A.{Mr Adams} Conqueror - Water Cooled: Are in almost exactly the same position as we are with exhaust valves. Have run up to 147 B.M.E.P. (no more) type test, but cannot get away with 4.c.c.'s of lead necessary to bring the fuel up to 87 octane which is the standard military grade. Exhaust valves look exactly like ours and they are trying all our remedies and have been for about six months but themselves admit they are no nearer a cure. For this reason the Conqueror, which was already falling behind the Air Cooled, is declining still further in favor. Cooling: They have done nothing in production with steam cooling. Experimentally they tried leading edge condensers but could not make them satisfactory for aerobatics, also were frightened of the complication involved. They are, therefore, sticking to Ethylene Glycol. They have not noticed much difference in the behavior of the exhaust valves on Ethyl whether run on Glycol or water. Cylinder Construction: In order to improve the cooling of the exhaust valve seats and also make the cylinder leak-proof, they are running a block with welded on jackets which also surround the valve seats. The whole is then bolted onto the cylinder head casting which carries the ports and passages. Valve Sizes: We noted the Conqueror inlet and exhaust valves were the same size. Upon inquiring we found that they had found an appreciable drop in power with the smaller exhaust valve when they supercharged at 3 lbs./sq.in. and, therefore, now make | ||