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).
Letter discussing valve test reports, a theory on valve failure due to lead, and recommendations for exhaust valves.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\1\ img136 | |
| Date | 18th January 1934 | |
| U.s.a. Mr. Robotham, Athletic Club, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. From Ha/Lov.{Mr Lovesey} Ha/Lov.{Mr Lovesey}2/MA.18.1.34. Dear Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}, We are sending you two copies of a report on some of the valve tests we have carried out on T.E.L. You might give one copy to Heron unofficially of course, and we shall naturally be interested if you can gather any information as to his theories on the trouble. You will note a theory we have suggested for the failure of the valve on lead, i.e. a break down of the scale when distortion occurs. We should like to know how this fits in with the American idea on the subject. You will be interested to know we have successfully completed a rehearsal type-test on lead at 9% full load conditions and we are now about half way through an official type-test on lead. At the moment we are feeling quite optimistic. We note from your cable that Wrights recommend a larger Exhaust Valve for 3 lbs. boost but we think this is not a question of heat flow and valve temperature so much as probably distortion and perhaps a larger valve has a little more flexibility and is better able to accomodate itself. You will remember our test on the Single Cylinder Engine in which we passed all the exhaust gas through one valve only and this valve, although suffering from temperature effects was not in the least harmed by lead attack. We shall be interested to hear of any recent developments in Glycol cooling on aircraft. Ha/Lov.{Mr Lovesey} | ||