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 the 'B' Eagle engine, focusing on ignition plug improvements after a 24-hour test run.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 34\2\ Scan087 | |
| Date | 11th September 1916 | |
| H.W. 839 a (400 T) (S.C. 530. 15-2-16) G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 1546. To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} C. to J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} C. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} RS{Sir Henry Royce's Secretary}/W11916. Sept. 11th 1916. RE "B" EAGLE ENGINE. I am very pleased to receive the report on the 24 hour run of the "B" Eagle engine. It is quite evident that we are doing as much as is wise in the direction of forcing the engine for its greatest horse power. I am very pleased to hear that your experiments with ignition plugs have resulted in some simple improvements. It seems to have been evident all along that the central electrode should be reduced to the simplest form possible and to be of substantial dimensions to carry away the heat. [Handwritten in left margin: 20/4] We do not know how practical the arrangement you suggest is, but we think that modifications can be made of it that would provide some means of examining and adjusting the spark gap, because you say that the electrodes connected to the metal body of the plug do not overheat sufficiently to cause pre-ignition. We send you a sketch of our suggestions which we think are worth trying. Much of the virtue in the plug, however, may be due to other features, than the simple form of the central electrode, because there is a marked difference between this plug when compared with the K.L.G. and Lodge, viz., that the central electrode is covered with earthenware and The earthenware is brought close to the metal body of the plug. | ||