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).
Examination of a 'THIRTILITE' sample, concluding it is unreliable for continuous running and suggesting a more robust design.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 165\3\ img115 | |
| Date | 23th May 1935 | |
| V6077 By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst.1/MA.23.5.35. SMITH "THIRTILITE". We have examined the sample handed to us by By/Mtn. and do not consider that for continuous running it will be a reliable piece of apparatus. The constant mesh gears and bearings have no lubrication whatsoever presumably because any lubricant would affect the extremely delicate escapement movement. In our opinion a small mechanical governor operated contact made more robust is indicated for this work for maximum reliability. A failure of a unit such as this might easily lead to a prosecution. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. | ||