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).
Spring top washer failure on a 3.500' Bore Bentley engine valve gear following an endurance run.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 88\4\ scan0147 | |
| Date | 14th November 1935 | |
| To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} X254 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Smth.25/KW.14.11.35. 3.500" Bore Bentley - Valve Gear. After 46 hours endurance run on a big bore Bentley we have broken a spring top washer. The test conditions were 30 mins. at 4,000 r.p.m., 25 mins. at 4250 r.p.m. and 5 mins. at 4500 r.p.m. The fracture consists of the breaking away of the outer rim of the washer over some two-thirds of the circumference. The design certainly seems to be weak on this section, and we suggest it is strengthened up as shown on Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}11 attached. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Smth. | ||