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).
Letter detailing issues with thermostat units during experimental testing of an automatic starting carburetter.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 121\4\ scan0174 | |
| Date | 6th April 1938 | |
| 1487. April 6th.1938 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/CTS.{C. Trot Salt - Carburation}6/AP. The British Thermostat Co.Ltd., Windmill Rd., Sunbury-on-Thames, MIDDLESEX. Dear Sirs, We are testing experimentally the S.U. automatic starting carburetter, which is controlled by a small thermostat (bi-metal strip) made by you. Our of three thermostats tested, two have given trouble almost immediately. The first one gave trouble due to minute particles of metal setting between the points of the magnet, which raised the 'cut-out' temperature considerably. An adjustment is provided for the initial setting of the points, one of the points being carried on a steel strip which in turn is mounted on fibre. In the case of the second unit to give trouble, the steel strip had taken a permanent set, away from the adjusting screw. This part of the mechanism seems particularly flimsy, and we would anticipate a lot of trouble occurring in Production. As this thermostat, and in particular the mounting of the points, has complete control over the working of the automatic starting carburetter, we would like to hear your views on this matter. We think it probable that you may have something already in hand on this job, and would like to make use of your latest information. Yours faithfully, FOR ROLLS-ROYCE LTD | ||