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).
Gearbox oil leak investigation and pressure tests for the 'Spectre' model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\4\ scan0081 | |
| Date | 6th July 1935 | |
| GRY{Shadwell Grylls} Please see me Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} X300a HOTEL DE FRANCE. CHATEAUROUX. Indre. France. To. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From. G.W.H. 3. S. I. SPECTRECodename for Phantom III. We carried out tests yesterday, to determine the temperature and pressures of the Gear Box. We have been trying to overcome the oil leak from the servo drive, and the damper control unit drive. We cannot understand why you have no oil leaks in your SpectreCodename for Phantom III Gear Boxes, if they are the same as ours. Upon taking off the rear compartment cover to watch the swirl of oil, there is no doubt of how the oil comes out of the box. The second gear wheel picks up the oil, and piles it up with force through the ball bearing of the damper unit drive The second speed Synchromesh picks up the oil, piles it on to the worm drive of the servo. The servo worm wheel then picks it up and piles it into the bearing. The two flows of oil meeting, sends tremendous splashes and streams right across, hitting the Servo drive ball race. Our first attempt to stop the leak has been by fitting blanking washer in front of the two ballraces in the hope of stopping the oil getting through. We have not as yet met with much success. We give you the following figures taken during a short run. GEAR BOX PRESSURES IN INCHES WATER. Rear Compartment of Gear Box. (There is no pressure when cold.) 20 MPH......... 0.1" 0.2" 30 " ......... 0.1" 0.2" 40 " ......... 0.1" 0.2" 50 " ......... 0.1" 0.2" 60 " ......... 0.2" 0.4" 70 " ......... 0.3" 0.6" 80 " ......... 0.4" 0.8" | ||