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).
Design specifications and alternatives for various mechanical components.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\V\October1930-February1931\ Scan375 | |
| Date | 24th February 1931 guessed | |
| (2) ORIGINAL If this die was broached with the same broach as the lever the parts would fit and naturally be tight; if not it could be arranged. We should never expect to take out pistons or shaft although it would be possible at a fairly well equipped repairing shop with a good mandril press. The shaft bearing might be Kelmit type if there was difficulty in lubrication but I prefer to drill them for low pressure oil. The serrated part of the shaft should be from 1.1 to 1.2 outside dia. and the tail about 1" to 1.1". The external part of the shaft would have taper serrations and nut fine pitch of the largest dia. possible. The standard lever is to be 10" or 12" at most. Fine pitch serrations are necessary as the lever may have to go on in a fairly exact angle so that clearance and toggling is right. The Delco idea seems not to oil the link but uses Kelmit pads and rubber to keep out dirt and water and dull any rattles. We trust to oil and spring loaded pads. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} should say which he prefers after comparing both in service. The plug or plugs closing the cyl. ends usually have a fibre washer. We make this to fit into a recess so that it cannot be squeezed outwards and split the ring. Delco trust to grooving the face. We ought to test each to destruction by rough handling and adopt the better. One imagines Works would prefer the cyl. bore to go through and plug at each end and valves at side under shaft. I shall be content if the valves are vertical or horizontal if found better, or probably design would be best if at some angle between the two. Personally I can't help thinking that vertical motion with narrow horizontal faces (knife edge), hard metal, and fairly large ball with only a small lift is best, at least for replenishers: other type valves for relief. Shaft lubrication - It is probably well worth the trouble of drilling to allow low pressure oil to feed minor bearings under pressure and major by gravity out of the shaft, as schemed before I left WW. If we use cast iron bodies every effort should be made to make them light and strong. Delco's horizontal one seems carelessly heavy. Something positive should keep shaft in but I do not like Delco set screw. Perhaps a spring ring imprisoned by the minor bearing cover could be used. | ||