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).
Patent infringement and royalty payments for the expanding carburetter.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 13\3\ 03-page429 | |
| Date | 18th June 1932 | |
| X7080 X1487 To Eg. c.c. Mr. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Wn. By/NW.{N. Walker - Patents} re R.R. Expanding Carburetter Referring to the use of the central guide on the air valve of the new R.R. expanding carburetter, it will be remembered that this is a feature of the S.U. carburetter. We are satisfied that our use of this guide would constitute an infringement of the patent specification owned by the S.U. Co. and we were of the opinion that in view of our friendly relations with Mr.Skinner, General Manager of the S.U. Company that the best plan would be to approach him personally on the matter. We have now done this, and find that he is perfectly willing for us to use the central guide. All that he wishes is that we officially acknowledge that we are using his patent, by awarding him a purely nominal royalty. With regard to the slow running device, this is still as originally schemed for the R.R. down-draught carburetter and as was adopted on the aero engine blower carburetters and for the use of which on the latter we understand we have to pay Strombergs 30/- a carburetter. The Stromberg patent specification is so widely drawn that it is very difficult to get round it. We have however, produced a form of adjustment for the slow running device which we think will avoid the payment of this royalty. It is a simple modification, so we are testing it out, and at the same time sending R.{Sir Henry Royce} a blueprint explaining the position. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||