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).
Technical memorandum discussing improvements to a sequence starter's design to make it more vigorous and silent.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 64\4\ scan0150 | |
| Date | 21th December 1928 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} } from R.{Sir Henry Royce} EFC. } at Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} } c. BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} CWB. X7655 RL/M21.12.28. RECD AT WW. 27.12.28. SEQUENCE STARTER. X7625 Re EFC/17.12.28 I believe that my idea of a taper armature is probably wrong, because it: (1) gives a feeble torque (2) gives a feeble initial pull. Therefore let us abandon the taper, and I suggest increasing the gauge of the teazer winding so as to make the operation vigorous. The hold out spring should have the lowest rating possible i.e. even pull from end to end of its stroke, and sufficient to hold the weight of the armature out against gravity of 1 in 4 incline - i.e. it will be quarter the weight of the armature (check this by comparison with Bosch). The kick back spring should I think be gentle at first engagement with rather high rating. Most of these are old suggestions, including, that we must not mind the knock on final engagement or coming out. We must cure this by other means than making the action feeble to get this silent, which I think has been the mistaken idea at Derby. Naturally bearing and brush friction should be kept low, and we might try the brushes with more carbon and less copper, rather than weak brush holder springs that you may be tempted to try. Mr. Elliott will arrange an effective oil or air dashpot to make the action silent at the ends, and it is necessary to get the gears right for the starter to be silent while rolling the engine. Both (2) and (3) in your memo. depend on good gears. Ours on EAC.7 is working well, and is preferable to our old starter. This is over one year old. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||