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).
Query regarding the suitability of a belt or chain drive for an aero starter dynamotor.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 55\2\ Scan039 | |
| Date | 22th March 1915 | |
| COPY. To Wor. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} for Hy. {Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} from R. {Sir Henry Royce} Copy to J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} Re Belt or Chain Drive for Aero Starter Dynamotor. We are anxious to know whether the 5/8" vee Whittle belt will transmit from a pulley of about 7" diameter to a pulley of about 3 1/2" diameter, 2 1/2 HP easily, the large pulley running at about 1500 or 1600 revolutions, and of course driving the smaller one at about 3000 revolutions. The relative position of the two pulleys is the small one at the top, and the distance between the centres can be fixed at anything in the neighbourhood of 18". It is for a dynamo drive on an aeroplane, in which the dynamo can be moved easily to tighten the belt, the whole gearing is on the engine. Do you consider a chain drive on pulleys about half this diameter i.e. say 4" on engine and 2" on dynamo would be more satisfactory, such a drive will give a chain speed of 1600 ft per minute and would be suitable for silent chain, to our minds the belt would be kinder. F.H.R. | ||