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 test arrangement and procedures for an engine cooling system, including condensers, radiator, and header tank.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179b\2\ img235 | |
| Date | 30th December 1932 | |
| -2- He/Gib.1/MU.30.12.32. Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} TEST ARRANGEMENT ENGINE. Two condensers one plain and the other having copper fins as shewn on INS.202 were tested separately in conjunction with a Fury radiator (loaned to us by Hawkers) mounted on the Meccano Hangar. The engine used was K.1003 11 S. fully cowled and tilted 15° (nose up). Before testing the cooling system the engine was run on a bed and the throttle set to give 590 BHP. at 2500 R.P.M. A propeller was then calibrated to suit this setting. The full throttle R.P.M. being 2925. All tests on the cooling system were run at 2500 R.P.M. which is the normal R.P.M. for the increased power Kestrel which is being used in the High Speed Furies. TEST APPARATUS ARRANGEMENT. RADIATOR. Owing to the construction of the Hangar it was not possible to mount the radiator in the same relative position to that when mounted in the aircraft, consequently the radiator had to be mounted at the side of the engine. In order to obtain a uniform air flow special cowling was arranged at the front of the radiator. The airflow was measured in front and at the rear by a portable pitot head and air speed indicator. HEADER TANK. A Fury header tank was mounted in the usual position behind the engine and connected up to the engine and radiator by 2" pipes. A water level gauge was fitted - a 'T' piece was fitted to the 1" dia. vent for connecting up to the condenser. CONDENSERS. The condenser was mounted in the same relative position as it would be in the aircraft and parallel to the engine. (Sketch (1) shews the general arrangement.) Sight glasses were fitted in the steam pipes in order to observe what was happening. Cocks were also fitted in order to isolate the condenser and to vent the tank to atmosphere. TESTS CARRIED OUT. The following was the range of investigation - All tests made at 590 BHP. & 2500 R.P.M. (1) Calibration of the radiator without blanking. (2) Amount of blanking required to make water boil. | ||