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).
Future car engine design, focusing on single-cylinder development work.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 134\2\ scan0079 | |
| Date | 3rd October 1936 | |
| [Handwritten] #illegible crossed out text# 1260 EDWARDS. [Handwritten] XII-29 (P) Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} ----------------- c. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} ----------------- E.1/HP.3.10.36. Car Future Engine Design - Single Cylinder Work. -------------------------------------------------- Referring to your memo Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}25/KW1.9.36, we are largely in agreement with your views, which have been substantiated by experience. In effect, single cylinder investigation where carried out must be on a comparative basis, and strictly limited in application to specific problems such as combustion chamber shape. With regard to the high power head, my own view is that the power output results obtained up to the present are disappointing, taking the figures given in your memo. There is no doubt however that the high power head leaves further room for development in respect to saving, weight, and cost. The biggest query I can see about it at the moment is the question of smoothness as the single cylinder results show that we have not yet arrived at a satisfactory position for the sparking plug in this respect. The research that has been done however does show that the larger inlet valve with short duration will most likely give us a bigger power range without spoiling slow running. With regard to the question of the proportions of such an engine built as a 6 cylinder, although it would be wider on the push rod side it takes up less room on the induction side, and leaves more space than the present engine for adapting a blower. In respect to the question of construction with an all aluminium cylinder block, I think we are definitely limited to a dry liner. We have had very satisfactory results with dry liners experimentally, and this is a point which could be easily tested out on the existing single cylinder unit. | ||