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 to Mr. R.W.H. Bailey discussing the trial and performance of a Dayton endless rubber fan belt on Phantom models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 55\2\ Scan195 | |
| Date | 9th August 1929 | |
| x196. OY-5 August 9th, 1929. Mr. R.W.H. Bailey, Rolls Royce Ltd., Derby, England. c - Mr. Hives Dear Mr. Bailey: FAN - SECTION 5220 I wonder whether you would be interested in trying out the Dayton endless rubber fan belt which we have been using on Phantoms? We think it much better than a link belt for life, tractive force and silence. It is shown in A-7831 attached. This belt first came to our attention when Cadillac started using it on their fan-generator drive, on a ridiculously short center distance and with no tensioning device except slotted holes. The only trouble we have had with it is that a spring tension is really unsuitable for such a belt, as it very easily gets into oscillation. Hence the original spring shown in A-7829 attached often had to be replaced by a solid collar or a much stiffer spring before the fan would run steadily. The device with two locknuts shown on A-7829 seems best and most suitable with a rubber belt. The Maintenance Department tells us that replacements on these belts indicate an extraordinary life. It is difficult to put a figure on it but 10,000 miles without need for adjustment is common. The only difference one can see between this belt and others is that it is made by parting off a big tube made like a tire casing, so that the edges of the belt show alternate layers of fabric and rubber. The presence of oil within reason does not seem to harm it. | ||