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).
Extract discussing the redesign of a water circulation pump and an evaluation of ignition systems for airship engines.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 52\3\ Scan221 | |
| Date | 15th February 1916 | |
| Re Airship Engines. Extract RHB / 1114 X.2854 Regarding the increased capacity of the pump necessary for the water circulation round the exhaust pipe, this has been redesigned by Mr. Elliott here so as to be suitable for a flow of 40 gallons per minute instead of the 24 gallons per minute in the usual engine. This pump will fit into the position occupied by the present water circulating pump, and will give the minimum time and trouble for making the change. X.2814 Regarding the question of ignition, it would appear that the duplex ignition could, if it is desired, be fitted as a battery ignition of the old Darracq or Remy type, that is, a non-trembler coil, and since it is an auxiliary ignition it appears that it would be quite satisfactory if it were run from the not central wireless battery ignition. We do [strikethrough]think[/strikethrough], however, that it is necessary to adopt battery ignition for the sake of the ignition plugs, as the heat of the spark from the magneto ignition has very little to do with the cause of the failure of the ignition plugs. The failure of these ignition plugs is not a serious matter in the air, as even at moderate altitudes there is a considerable drop in temperature and density of the atmospheric air entering the cylinder, both of which reduce the risk of failure of the plugs. We have found that the heating effect of the Dixie magneto is considerably less than the heating effect of those magnetos with revolving armatures, and yet there is no practical difference in the trouble with ignition plugs. It must be remembered that any electrical equipment is more taxed by the continuous application of the high electro motive force, which, in the case of the long duration test was on for 20 R.R. 235 A (500) 10-2-16 (S.C. 826) 15-2-16) G. {Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 1546 | ||