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).
Proposing experiments with Ricardo Type Pistons to reduce engine friction, referencing articles in contemporary magazines.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 77\1\ scan0003 | |
| Date | 10th March 1917 | |
| To J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} for R.{Sir Henry Royce} from EFC. c. to J c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Tomby. c. to EH. EFC10/T13317. 10th March 1917. X2474 RE RICARDO TYPE PISTONS. We would like to draw your attention to the description of the Ricardo type piston, that appears in the "Autocar" of March 10th and ^in the "Automobile Engineer" of March 1917, as we think you might like us to make experiments with pistons of this type. Undoubtedly the chief mechanical loss in an engine is that of piston friction, and probably this is the only direction in which such loss is capable of reduction by alteration in design. It seems to us to be a very rational thing to cut away some portion of the piston surface in contact with the cylinder where this surface is not actually required for transmitting bearing pressure, and so reducing the frictional loss due to the dhearing of the oil film. Mr. Hives has already proposed cutting away portions of such surfaces from our standard pistons, and we understand that he intends to experiment with a set of pistons modified in this manner. EFC. | ||