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 investigation into failures of the central lubrication system pipes.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27\1\ Scan366 | |
| Date | 3rd November 1930 | |
| x3806. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Mr Archer. LA{L. A. Archer}8/T3.11.30. RE: CENTRAL LUBRICATION Hy{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer}5/T28.10.30. The greatest amount of trouble with the central lubrication scheme appears to be due to failure of the pipes themselves. In most cases the pipes fail owing to seams in the pipes which open out after being in use for some time. We have found one or two cases on test of this failure, and I have taken the matter up with By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} with a view to this matter being taken up with the makers of the pipes. In order to make sure that we are not turning out chassis fitted with pipes which may give trouble later on, I have arranged for the method of testing the central oiling scheme to be altered in such a way that we shall increase the pressure on the pipes and joints during the time we are testing for the supply of oil to the various points on the chassis. We shall do this by using an Enots oil gun connected up to the two points which in a normal way are connected up to the Bijur pump. Our connection is fitted with a filter so that we shall not get any foreign matter into the system. We shall prime the whole system from this point and then check at each connection that we are getting the correct supply of lubricant. We have also had some cases of broken pipes and it is thought that this may be due to faulty fitting in the first place. It is thought that the pipes when connected up to their respective unions are not being fitted flat on to the frame so that when the clips (which hold the pipes in position) are fitted there is an undue strain imposed on to the pipes. I am going further into this matter and will report again after further investigation. RECEIVED 4 NOV 1930 LA{L. A. Archer} Rh.{R. Hollingworth} | ||