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).
Petrol starvation tests for a 32-EX Phantom III with a modified high-pressure pump arrangement.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149\4\ scan0390 | |
| Date | 17th August 1937 | |
| CHATEAUROUX. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/IMW{Ivan M. Waller - Head of Chateauroux}/I/JAB.17.8.37. To. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} C. Pm/JDS. (crossed out) C. Pm/CSH. (crossed out) Handwritten: 1263 also 300A 32-EX. PHANTOM III. Tests on Petrol Starvation with modified arrangement of Petrol Pipes for high pressure pump in Frame as fitted up at Chateauroux. 1st. Day. Run South to Pau. 140 miles were covered in the morning with air temperature gradually rising from 27°c to 33°c with no signs of starvation. 10 minutes halt. Air 33°c U.B. 74°c Water 100°c Oil 93°c Accelerated to 50 MPH. then hesitated for 15 seconds during which time speed fell to 40 MPH. Then recovered completely. After a further 23 miles, the delivery of the rear half of the pump ceased abruptly and completely, the pump working as if pumping air. At the same time, the front half of the pump gave maximum speed of 75 MPH. The air temperature was 33° - 34°c. 12 miles later the delivery from the rear half started again as suddenly as it had stopped and maximum speed was obtained without vapour trouble at 34°c air temp. for the remaining 23 miles running. After lunch halt, air was 37°c and never fell below 36°c for 150 miles. After 1 hours fast running without any failure, 10 minutes halt was made. Air 37°c U.B.75°c Water 100°c Oil 102°c Petrol in Tank 43°c. Accelerated to 50 MPH. then hesitated for 30 seconds during which time speed fell to 35 MPH. Gradual recovery to 60 MPH. 1 minute after starting off and recovered completely 2 minutes after starting off. 5 minutes later either half of the pump gave 55 MPH. and maximum speed on both. 15 miles further on, the delivery of the front half of the pump ceased abruptly in the same manner as that experienced with the rear half before lunch. The air bottles were removed and it was found that while the rear half delivered petrol, the front half delivered nothing but suddenly recovered | ||