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).
Petrol pump issues, discussing fuel composition and diaphragm unit concentricity.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\5\ scan0278 | |
| Date | 21th February 1940 | |
| 1245 To "Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}" Works & to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/MHR.{M. H. Rigby} (struck through) Levallois Sr/VA2/MLG.21.2.40 Re- Petrol Pumps ------------------- With reference to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/MHR.{M. H. Rigby}I/ML.13.2.40, Sr/VA9/MLG. 9.2.40 and Sr/VAI/MLG.30.I.40, we will insert an extra .020" annular ring as agreed to by you. Concerning the second paragraph of your memo, I paid a visit today to the Head Office of our petrol suppliers, viz Messrs. Desmarais Frères, and one of their technical experts gave me the following information. " Super Essence" such as AZUR, SHELL, PEGAS & ESSO prior to the war and up to December last, contained about 10% of Benzole and also about 10% of Alcohol ( but not a constant formula). Owing to Benzole and Alcohol having been requisitioned therefore petrol as at present supplied does not contain a Benzole or Alcohol content. " AZUR" petrol as supplied prior to the war was 80 Octane. Messrs. Desmarais Frères supply us with "Automo-boline" 65 Octane. It will be almost certain that under the existing conditions that petrol in the future will not contain any Benzole. We have examined the II Neoprene diaphragm units which we have in stock in order to ascertain whether the diaphragms are concentric with the spindle. Five units were found to be OK. on the remaining 6 the circular armature as fitted to the spindle are badly centered inasmuch as they are not concentric with the axes of the spindle also the flat face of the armature on 4 of the units are out of truth in relation to the spindle, consequently the diaphragms on 6 units are not concentric with the spindle. It would appear to us that the above is the cause of 4 or 5 rollers having seized on certain pumps as mentioned in paragraph 6 of our Sr/VA7/HM.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs}3.I.40. "VA" | ||