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).
Improvements to the SS and G.4 induction system heating, and alternatives to fitting a thermostat.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\T\January1929-February1929\ Scan104 | |
| Date | 1st February 1929 | |
| HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} (crossed out) FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} DY.{F R Danby} (crossed out) (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) SECRET REC'D AT WW. 5.2.29. Copy to SS.{S. Smith} WCR. (crossed out) PN.{Mr Northey} CWB. (crossed out) SS.{S. Smith} AND G.4 INDUCTION SYSTEM. X7070 (crossed out) X7230 (crossed out) X5070 I have read carefully Mr. Lovesey's notes on the heating of the above. I am extremely pleased that it is concluded that we can abandon the exhaust heating of the throttle and that water-heating is sufficient because of three improvements: (1) Six ports in the head. (2) Slot feed to the manifold. (3) Less temperature range. It is better to require less heat than to have it; we have therefore a considerable gain. Personally I am in favour of not adding to the complications and our responsibility by fitting a thermostat (but I do not object to a trial.) This is providing my understanding is correct - (it has so far been confirmed by Mr. Hancock's experience.) It is: (a) Slow running is imperfect but bearable until warmed up. (b) Full throttle is quite good cold or hot providing mixture enriched by hand control. So that one can always get away quickly even cold, and the loss of heat manifests itself only in less power due to slow burning of weak mixture, which can be cured by enriching. In summer and mild weather nothing is wanted. Winter running needs care with water temperature, or mixture enriching by hand control until temperature restored. Unless the disadvantages are more than I realised I favour no further complication. As an alternative to the thermostat I suggest that the shutter control might also be coupled to a valve to reduce the circulation, and increase it through the induction jacket - i.e. just as the shutters close a water circulating valve closes also. It would be not much responsibility for us, and could be uncoupled in summer. Perhaps the water circulation would be better with slightly larger pipes. (One very good point noticed in 19-EX. is no firing in the silencer.) R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||