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).
University of Birmingham report on an investigation into the torque required to start an engine from cold as affected by lubricating oil grade.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 145\1\ scan0126 | |
| Date | 29th June 1933 | |
| The University, Birmingham. Department of Electrical Engineering, Edgbaston. 29th June, 1933. Professor Wm.Cramp, D.Sc.,M.I.E.E. REPORT of an investigation into the torque required to start a motor car engine from cold as affected by the grade of lubricating oil used in the engine. 1. Object of the tests. The investigation was planned by the Vacuum Oil Company Limited, but it was placed under the independent official observation of the Electrical Engineering Department of the University of Birmingham. The object was to ascertain the effect of the grade of oil used in the engine upon its cold starting characteristics, as indicated by the measured performance of the starting motor and battery, the engine always being actually fitted in place in the chassis. 2. Precautions to ensure accuracy. The plan of the procedure was submitted beforehand to the Professor of Electrical Engineering, who appointed Dr. L.G.A.Sims as official independent observer. Every opportunity was given to enquire into the nature of the tests, the method of procedure and the accuracy of the instruments used. 3. Car and Engine. The chassis and engine were of the Standard 16 H.P. six cylinder type, made and supplied by the Standard Motor Company Ltd., Coventry, whose Chief Engineer put in writing the following statement:- "I confirm that this is the identical unit to that which was tested at the N.P.L., and that no mechanical work or modifications of any kind have been incorporated since the engine left the laboratory." 4. Instruments used. As has been stated under (1) above, the measurements of performance were made electrically by means of the starting motor and battery. This involved:- (a) Voltmeter for the battery volts. (b) Voltmeter for the starter volts. (c) Ammeter for the starter current. (d) A tachometer. For (a) and (c) Elliott test set No.124428, with its 600 ampere shunt, was used. These are grade 1. instruments and were checked against another similar set kept as a substandard. The voltmeter was found correct, and the ammeter 0.5% low. | ||