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).
Following Mr. Rowledge's visit, outlining decisions on the Aero Engine Programme, including swash plate experiments and engine starters.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\I\June1922\ Scan78 | |
| Date | 19th June 1922 | |
| To Rg.{Mr Rowledge} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. BJ. c. to HLS. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} B. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Mr. Claremont. c. to Sir Ed.{J. L. Edwards} Goulding. ORIGINAL V4418 X4369 RECD RE.MR. ROWLEDGE'S VISIT TO WW. ON WED. 14th JUNE 1922. AERO ENGINE PROGRAMME. Swash Plate Engine. With regard to the swash plate engine there is no doubt that if the Michell bearing pad system can be made to work successfully under the conditions required, it will have a very important effect upon our policy. I am agreeable to the recommendation that we should spend £2500 on swash plate experiments before crying a halt, although by no means certain of success, and as a general principle am against spending money on such pioneer work. I understand that the patents in connection with this matter have gone forward for Great Britain, and I do not think this is money wasted as it will strengthen our position should we desire to go on. I question the wisdom of spending money on patents in foreign countries but I am prepared to follow Mr. Rowledge's recommendations on this point, and am agreeable to some of the £2500 being used for this purpose. I think only the big foreign countries are worth consideration as follows:- U. S. A.{Mr Adams} France. Germany. Spain. Italy. I agree it does not appear necessary to build a complete engine to test the value of the swash plate. Condor Engine Starter. To my mind the best policy is to disregard the Bristol Co's modification and make a starter unit exactly like the R.A.E. model, if this will suit the authorities. I think we should ask for an order for it; we should be quite willing to make only a few as it might lead to further developments. Electrical Speed Indicator. It is understood that there is some desire to use the little electrical engine speed indicator that we made during the war, and which did so well in the official tests. We should be pleased enough to make these if they will give us an order for a few even. We have an electrical department for this class of work and it may lead to more; also the experimental work is done. (1) | ||