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).
Dynamometer test of a semi-floating axle, discussing component wear and lubricant performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 114\1\ scan0155 | |
| Date | 22th September 1938 | |
| 1015 To By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. Hdy.{William Hardy} c. Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}3/MH.{M. Huckerby}22.9.38. SEMI-FLOATING AXLE. We have now run a dynamometer test of this axle having the arrangement of preloaded Timken differential bearings adapted to the present centre case. In addition to this experiment, at Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}'s suggestion the differential washers and bushes were made of aluminium bronze. A laboratory test had led us to believe that alum bronze would not be badly attached by the free sulphur in the oil. The run consisted of 30 hours in 3rd. and 70 hours in top on 5.B.IV chassis. At the end of the test the Timkens were in good condition. The end of one roller was slightly scored as if by the cage. The alum bronze parts were in very good condition, the maximum wear of any washer being .002. The lubricant used was Vacuum HGL at 90°C. In an endeavour to overcome the scoring of the gears which again took place on this test and which is now our only worry on this axle, we are trying other makes of free sulphur oils. We have information from America that the amount of abrasive in HGL is high. The 45 mm. half shafts have now run 220 hours, about 100 of which has been done on La{L. A. Archer} Salle wheels having ½" too much overhang. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} | ||