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 from Wilcox-Rich discussing difficulties and developments in sodium-cooled valve technology.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 174\2\ img307 | |
| Date | 5th December 1939 | |
| WILCOX-RICH DIVISION OF EATON MANUFACTURING COMPANY 9771 FRENCH ROAD DETROIT, MICHIGAN PRODUCTS RICH VALVES VALVE SEAT RINGS VALVE-MATIC RINGS HYDRAULIC LIFTERS PLANTS SAGINAW MARSHALL BATTLE CREEK CABLE ADDRESS 'EATONIZE' CLEVELAND December 5, 1939 Mr. W. A.{Mr Adams} Robotham Rolls-Royce, Ltd. Derby, England Dear Mr. Robotham: Since I last wrote you, our Mr. J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} O.{Mr Oldham} Eaton, Jr.{Mr James Royce}, has been sent to England to handle the hydraulic lifters and no doubt by this time he will have been in touch with you. With regard to the sodium-cooled valve, it is our belief that the best type of sodium-cooled valve is the one with the large cavity which permits the maximum amount of cooling to take place. One of the difficulties, we believe, with the side-valve-engine is the tendency for the sodium to remain frozen in the stem end, particularly where water-cooled with very good guide cooling. With this thought in mind, our Metallurgist has developed a mixture of sodium and mercury which is fluid at normal room temperature (70° F.{Mr Friese}) which would permit the coolant to perform its function at a much lower temperature than the sodium. We still like to have the maximum stem diameter possible in order to increase the cooling area, and also a well-designed guide boss to bring the cooling water up as close to the head of the valve as is permissible without undue restriction to the flow of gases. We have had little or no experience with the copper-cooled valve as we have never felt this had a great deal of merit and, consequently, have not done much work on it. If there is any further information we can give you, please advise. With kind regards, I am Sincerely yours, WILCOX-RICH, Division of Eaton Manufacturing Company [Signature] V.{VIENNA} C. Young Engineer Handwritten notes: Dofour JNR{Charles L. Jenner} SWD CTS{C. Trot Salt - Carburation} EDWARDS Plews Gff/Hives 9 Dec/39 | ||