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).
Testing of various piston materials and designs, such as aluminium, cast iron, and Zephyr split types.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 35\2\ scan 175 | |
| Date | 22th December 1919 | |
| X.2448 R1/G22.12.19. To EN.) " Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}) from R.{Sir Henry Royce} " CK.{Mr Clark}) X.2748. RE PISTONS. X.3754. We cannot see any advantage in leaving aluminium unless for excessive wear or disintegration, but if we have substantial reasons to fear either of these, then the conclusions would be entirely different, and we should at once confine our testing to cast iron and wrought steel pistons. You have not reported on all the tests we have suggested. We hope you are proceeding with these as quickly as possible. It is advisable that all suggestions are sent to me, so that I can direct the order of tests, and we shall not be duplicating the studies or making anything which I consider hopeless at the expense of those we think more hope- ful. X-2757 I have not seen the suggestion for Mr. Barrington's Zephyr split pistons. I ought to have done so, even if the matter could not bear the time of a post to me. The descriptive advice of what you are doing should be sent parallel with the instructions to the shops because we have been over the Zephyr type just lately with a view of splitting or retesting the combination piston with modification. So far we have found nothing quite worth sending you. I am still anxiously awaiting the result of the multiple ring plunger pistons. All our studies point to the necessity of keeping the power side of the piston rigid. contd. | ||