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).
Buick's oil cooler design, various types of engine dampers, and frame rigidity.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\4\ img216 | |
| Date | 5th November 1935 guessed | |
| (sheet 6) (7) We have reported two different reasons for Buick abandoning oil coolers. The reason given by Harrisons, viz. that they are no longer necessary on the re-designing of the Straight '8' is probably the correct one. Choking up, however, and consequent loss of efficiency is undoubtedly a real drawback, for which they have no remedy to hand, but they have improved the strength against bursting, and have a very strong and reliable type of cooler about to be put into production. (9) Engine Dampers. It appeared from our investigations that rubber harmonic dampers can be made a success, and have advantages as to simplicity, cheapness and permanence of setting over the plate spring type of harmonic damper. It is necessary to introduce a definite amount of spring loaded friction independent of the rubber and the damper appears to be better if enclosed, but protected from oil. Exposed dampers do not appear to be favoured owing to their liability to change their setting with time. The Lanchester type damper is regarded as being too heavy when it is effective enough. Lincoln had such a one combined with the fan but it is unlikely it was really effective. It was exceptionally small and light. The main period may have occurred at a lower speed on this engine on account of the cast iron crankshaft and so be less violent. The Eight cylinder Vee does appear to need some torsional damping, but there are lateral periods which cannot be dealt with in this way. A flywheel with combined lateral and torsional flexibility and damping seems effective for all. We have brought home specimens of the Packard and Cadillac rubber damper, and of the Cadillac spring damper. With the spring loaded damper the inertia is not critical, and the friction is a function of the loading of the springs, but the inertia may be critical in the rubber damper. (10) Frames. Olley was unable to tell us anything about lateral rigidity in frames, though he said they were beginning to investigate it. For what lateral rigidity they have they | ||