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).
Experiments and recommendations to resolve water loss in the Phantom III radiator system.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 94\3\ scan0049 | |
| Date | 30th May 1936 | |
| X340 To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Dy.{F R Danby} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Std.17/JH.30.5.36. Phantom III Water Loss. We have carried out a number of experiments both on a rig and on the road, to endeavour to produce a scheme on the Phantom III radiator top tank whereby we could run without any valve in the overflow pipe and yet lose no water. We have not been completely successful in doing this, but have obtained the best results using water inlet pipes to attached sketch. (It will be seen that these are similar in principle to the nozzles used on our 20/25 and old 40/50 cars). With these pipes fitted and no valve in escape line, it is possible to run at fairly high cruising speeds without any water loss e.g. in a run to Six Hills etc., during which speeds of 85 - 90 m.p.h. were occasionally obtained and an average of approx. 40 m.p.h. was maintained, the water loss was negligible. However if prolonged speed in top or the indirect gears is maintained, considerable water loss takes place. With the radiator steam valve fitted with these pipes no water was lost under any conditions. (Working with the water level with the top of the tunnel tube in top tank) In view of these facts, we recommend that this type of inlet nozzle should be adopted on production at the earliest possible moment as they would minimise water loss in the event of a bad seating valve. We should also like to point out that at the moment, no attempt is made on production to set the steam valve to its correct blow off pressure 2 1/2 - 3 lbs/sq.in. and to ensure that a reasonably good seating is made, this should be part of the routine radiator tests. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Std. | ||