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).
Magneto ignition sets, fuel development including octane ratings, and knock testing methods for engines.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179\3\ img150 | |
| Date | 1st April 1932 | |
| Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/ms.1/Ari.4.32 contd. -9- Magneto Ignition Sets. Delcos and the Eclipse Co. are shortly going to combine. They have only produced about one dozen battery ignition sets so far and we could not get much information as to who was using them in the U.S. FUEL DEVELOPMENT. There are now three major octane ratings in the normal fuel and engines are rated accordingly. A typical instance is :- Engine Fuel R.P.M. Power Output. Wasp { 70 Octane 2000 300 B.H.P. { 80 " 2200 400 B.H.P. Junior { 87-89 " 2400 550 B.H.P. The first is a commercial, the second military and the third supercharged. The specification of the safety fuel is as follows:- High thermal value 19,750 B.Th.U's Flash point minimum 105°F.{Mr Friese} Octane 90 min. at 300°F.{Mr Friese} 600 RPM. Initial 300°F.{Mr Friese} Final 400° - 410°F.{Mr Friese} Sp.{Mr Spinney}Gr.{George Ratcliffe} .838 The fuel naturally has disadvantages with regard to starting, and some experimental tests have been conducted which show that a vapouriser is necessary if the fuel is to be used with a normal carburetter. However, the main application of the fuel at present is for use in petrol injection systems. The production of the fuel has not yet reached a stage where it can be bought over here commercially though it is being supplied to the American Army. It will, however, be available in bulk in about three months time. We have procured a sample of this fuel which is being produced by the Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey. Knock Testing. The new standard unit for knock testing is the C.F.R. manufactured by the Waukesha Motor Co. Waukesha Wisconsin. It costs about 1400# complete at the factory. Mr. Heron, | ||