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).
Engine cooling systems, including radiator matrices, fans, and oil coolers, comparing manufacturing options and supplier capabilities.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 178\2\ img130 | |
| Date | 4th April 1934 | |
| -7- Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}5/KW.4.4.34. COOLING. There is a matrix available about 15% more efficient than the one Marstons are just beginning to produce for us. The difficulty is to get it made in England in the sizes and small quantities we require. It is doubtful if Marstons can make this type of matrix successfully anyhow, as they are receiving no assistance from Harrisons, their legal right to manufacture being in question. Plant to equip us to manufacture ourselves would cost £9000 + duty. This is arranged so that it could be modified to take care of pending developments. We went over the position with G.M. who will be happy to discuss it again through Constantine should we consider manufacture. We ourselves pressed that Vauxhalls might be induced to assist us. The variable speed and variable camber fan have received a considerable amount of development, the former has not yet reached the production stage, the latter has, and we have a sample. It should be of great value on the big car and might prove a considerable asset on the tank equipped with R.R. engines. It has been found that the use of a cowl to improve appearance (as on the La{L. A. Archer} Salle) also improves the efficiency of the radiator up to ten or fifteen percent. The practice of mounting the pump on the cylinder head and driving it and the fan simultaneously by means of a belt is being adopted increasingly on the cheaper cars. It is used on the new La{L. A. Archer} Salle. The Harrison oil cooler is accepted as the standard unit for this particular job, its warming up capacity being of considerable value. It seems doubtful whether, with the steady increase in engine specific outputs, it will be possible to do without an oil cooler even with Kelmit bearings, for oil consumption and ring gumming are likely to cause trouble with a lubricant temperature above 100°C. | ||