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).
The salient features required for generators to be purchased for the American Cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 31\1\ Scan045 | |
| Date | 31th December 1919 | |
| R.R.A.(100 T) (R.F. 845 6-8-19) G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 2460 X 1402 COPY DECEMBER 31, 1919. Gr{George Ratcliffe} 1K 12/31/19. Copies to NA{Mr Nadin}, JCR, MNG and Mr. Belnap: BN.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} OY from Gr{George Ratcliffe}: X.294 - RE GENERATORS X.1402. In view that in all probability we will have to purchase generators in this country for the American Cars, I have deemed it necessary to prepare a report on the more important and salient features of the apparatus to meet the exacting conditions desired; the possibilities of obtaining such apparatus in the American Market; and the steps taken to obtain experimental apparatus for observation and test, at the Derby Works. Although rapid advances have been made during the past few years in this country, in automotive electrical equipment, the ideal system has not yet been perfected. In- vestigations so far prove there is just a remote possibility of using the standard equipment of one of the makers which will be mentioned later; the generator and necessary appara- tus for control and regulation will in all probability have to be modified or designed to meet our standards and requirements. These points, however, depend to some extent on the recommendations received from England after testing of the experimental apparatus sent to Derby. It is considered the essential electrical features desired are: (a) The system should be capable of giving a constant voltage through a predetermined range of speeds. (b) The charging rate should be con- stant and gradual to the maximum capacity of the battery. This is desirable but not absolutely essen- tial as the current input is deter- mined by the resistance of the battery within the rating limits of the generator. Contd. | ||