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).
Letter detailing a visit to Eclipse Aviation Corp. to observe their variable pitch airscrew system.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179b\3\ img080 | |
| Date | 30th January 1933 | |
| COPY OF LETTER RECEIVED FROM Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/LOV.{Mr Lovesey} IN U.S.A. DATED 16.1.33. U.S.A. K4525 R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Lov.{Mr Lovesey} C. Mr. Sor. C. Mr. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} C. RY. Lr.{Mr Ellor} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Lov.{Mr Lovesey}12/KT.30.1.33. VISIT TO ECLIPSE AVIATION CORP. EAST ORANGE. On Saturday I visited the Eclipse Avn. Corp (Bendix) and saw a very interesting example of variable pitch airscrews. The system is entirely automatic and very simple, the pitch variation being operated by the airscrew thrust. (See attached print). The blades -free to rotate- are mounted on a hub which slides to and fro on the actual hub mounted on the prop. shaft. This sliding piece is normally in the 'right back' position, due to the pressure of spiral springs. The blades are rotated by means of the connecting link anchored to the fixed hub rear plate. When the thrust is high, when 'taxing off' and climbing the blades and sliding piece advance forward, and so decrease the pitch of the blades. There is also a centrifugal stop incorporated which can be set to limit the maximum R.P.M. in level flight to any desired speed. The whole scheme is very simple, automatic and no larger than the normal metal prop. hubs. It also fits on the standard prop. shaft. There is also practically no overhang. This has been type tested and got the government certificate. It has been subjected to whirling tests at 50% overspeed. It is being flight tested by the Navy Dept. of aeronautics and is also being tested out on ship fighters for deck 'take offs'. They have a machine of their own fitted with one for development work, and are endeavouring to get permission from the Navy Dept. for me to have some actual flight tests on this machine, so that I can observe the difference in take off climb etc. with and without the automatic scheme. If they can get permission they will take the machine to anywhere within 200 miles for a demonstration. I will see if I can get any information re. performance | ||