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).
Propeller shaft whirling issues and the proposed solution of increasing shaft diameter and thickness.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\V\2January1931-April1931\ Scan066 | |
| Date | 16th March 1931 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Mor. c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Ey. ORIGINAL! Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}1/KT.16.3.31. X5340. PROPELLER SHAFT 25 HP. When running 18.G.IV. with the cast iron unit we found that the car was considerably rougher in top gear than at the same engine speed in 3rd. With the car on the bump we viewed the propeller shaft with the Rotoscope and found that the whirling commenced at 60.M.P.H., and that the total out-of-truth of the centre of the shaft at 70.M.P.H. was about 3/8". This car is fitted with the 2 5/8" diameter shaft fitted for the last 10,000 miles trial to overcome the whirling we had experienced with the standard 2 1/4" diameter shaft. We therefore consider that if the diameter were in-creased at least to 3" by .09 thick, it would overcome the trouble. A shaft of these dimensions has been on 12.G.IV. for six months and has been quite free from whirling. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Grylls. | ||