Responding to a telegram about a Goshawk battery ignition coil fault, discussing insulation and colouring materials.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\J\November1922\ Scan57 | |
| Date | 9th November 1922 | |
| ORIGINAL TO: - R. {Sir Henry Royce} from EFC. {E. Fowler Clarke - Electrical Engineer} c. CJ. c. Wor {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} for Mr. Brock. EFC {E. Fowler Clarke - Electrical Engineer} /T9.11.22. X.3485 - GOSHAWK(Aero Engine)(Codename for 20HP Car / Aero Engine after Kestrel(Aero Engine)) BATTERY IGNITION. x4079 Your telegram reading :- "CLARK GOSHAWK(Aero Engine)(Codename for 20HP Car / Aero Engine after Kestrel(Aero Engine)) IGNITION STOP SUGGESTED TO HIVES EXPERIMENTALLY FITTING COIL BOX WITH EBONITE TERMINAL WITH COIL AND LEAD INSULATED INSIDE STOP UNDERSTAND BAKELITE WRONG THROUGH METALLIC OXIDE COLOURING STOP SUGGEST MAHOGANY OR TEAK WOOD DUST WITHOUT COLOURING STOP DISTRIBUTOR MUST ALSO BE WRONG STOP EASILY PROVED IF FAULT IS INDUCTION OR LEAKAGE STOP ARE CASES PROPERLY CURED STOP WRITE ME TODAY " ROYCE. to hand this morning . You will receive, together with this note, a further general report from me on this ignition matter. from which you will see it is evident some improved internal insulation of the coil from the bakelite case is necessary if bakelite is to be used. As regards the existence of metallic oxide as colouring matter, I have consulted Mr. Hall and he tells me that as the amount of ash remaining on igniting a piece of bakelite only amounts to 2%, which amount could easily be accounted for as ash from the wood filler, it is not possible that any metallic oxide colouring matter is used, as this would require a much greater percentage of ash. He considers that the colouring matter is either carmine or an ahaline dye which exists in a very small percentage, having a big effect owing to its intense colouring properties. Contd. | ||
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).