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).
Article on automotive and aircraft research being conducted at New York University.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 128\3\ scan0039 | |
| Date | 22th April 1939 | |
| 526 New York University By H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} BLANK, JR.{Mr James Royce} PRACTICAL research on automotive and aircraft problems is constantly in progress in the engineering laboratories of New York University. Because much of the work has specific industrial significance and is done in cooperation with manufacturers or inventors, it has received relatively little public notice as compared with the research activities of several other prominent technical schools in the East. In fact, it is impossible to convey accurately the quantity and quality of the services of this character being rendered by N. Y. U. beyond the school's primary function of providing young men with an opportunity for a “well-rounded education in liberal science and engineering.” Many automotive engineers will recall the extensive survey of automobile brakes made about two years ago by the University's mechanical engineering department in conjunction with the W.P.A. More than 3000 brakes were tested in this huge study made under the supervision of E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Hamilton, associate professor of automotive engineering. The voluminous data obtained revealed that many cars operated on U. S. highways were equipped with brakes wholly inadequate to stop them within limits prescribed by the various state laws. Further, it was found that certain makes of cars had an appreciable unbalance in braking either between the left and right side or between front and rear brakes. The Society of Automotive Engineers has a complete report of this study on file in its headquarters building in New York City. The effect of upper cylinder lubricating oils on an internal combustion engine was the subject of considerable experimentation. Analysis of the data showed that most upper cylinder lubricating oils on the market reduced frictional losses. It was concluded that this result was brought about by thinning of the regular lubricating oil and the ability of the upper cylinder oil to reach certain tight fitting parts which otherwise would probably run dry. Another study completed recently for a well-known American corporation was concerned with the use of gasoline treated with colloidal graphite. Unfortunately the details of this investigation have not been released for publication. The effect of relative humidity on the efficiency and power output of an internal combustion engine is the subject of an investigation now being conducted by a graduate student. Test equipment for automotive research is housed in the Sage Laboratory building. In this laboratory, as in most university laboratories which the writer has had the opportunity to inspect, there is real need for more modern engines for test work. However, an amazing job is done with the equipment and engines available. A cradle-electric dynamometer is used for engines of from 5 to 100 hp. output. It is arranged so that an air-cooled engine may be coupled to one end, a water-cooled engine to the other. A fan driven by a variable-speed electric motor supplies cooling air through a sheet metal duct system. Special cowlings have been built for the various engines—one of the latest acquisitions being a four-cylinder Continental model A 40. A Brush one-cylinder automobile engine built in the early 1900's is set up for indicator tests. Professor Hamilton proudly asserts that this museum piece “does everything anybody would want it to do.” Another relic still in use is a converted Ace. April 22, 1939 Automotive Industries | ||