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).
Solutions for an oil leak from the rear engine bearing and a gearbox oil seal on a Bentley.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 83\4\ scan0050 | |
| Date | 7th November 1935 | |
| xN64a 1 Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} C. Wop. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Dy.{F R Danby} GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} E.3/HP.7.11.35. B-56-BN.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} Replying to your memo Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}4/E.5.11.35 with reference to Bentley 10,000 mile report Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}6/JAB.2.11.35, we notice that all the bouquets handed out are presented to the Design without discrimination. However, I will refer to the points as they are mentioned, as follows:- Rear Engine Bearing. With regard to the usual leak from the rear bearing, we designed a special breather to cure this based on some experiments made by GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} in France. The design number of this scheme is LeC.4460 dated 12.4.35, but this does not appear to be fitted to B-56-BN.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} The felt scheme for the rear bearing which we developed on tank engines, GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} agreed did all that was necessary for running in England, and gives not the slightest trouble on test, but will not ultimately stand up to the high sustained average speeds in France of our 15,000 mile tests. With, however, the modified scheme of breather previously-mentioned we understood this trouble was considerably minimised. With the larger bore engine and the higher average speed undoubtedly the conditions will be made worse. One of the new breathers to LeC. 4460 should be sent over for GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} to fit. In the meantime we are designing for the Bentley a modified rear bearing cover similar to that which is apparently running successfully on the Phantom 3 in France. This scheme in conjunction with the new breather should be a cure if it acts in the same way as on the Phantom 3 on test, of which no complaints are coming through. Gearbox. We can find no record of a Perfect oil seal joint ever having been fitted, and the standard oil retaining bush has been satisfactory in France except when left out to fit a friction anchorage. We must, however, assume that the gearbox on B-56-BN{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} has this bush as it is a standard gearbox and we are, therefore, taking steps to make a suitable design modification for an oil seal, as the increase of speed with the big bore engine is probably making the conditions more exacting. We should like GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} to check up his gearbox to | ||