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 to H.M. Hobson Components Ltd. regarding the failure of a K.S. electrical petrol pump during an endurance test.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149\3\ scan0012 | |
| Date | 21th January 1939 | |
| 1263 EXPERIMENTAL DEPARTMENT. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/JBD.{John B. Dixon - Fuel Systems}9/JH. 21st. January, 1939. H.M. Hobson Components Ltd., 47 - 55 The Vale, Acton, W.3. For the attention of Mr. Reigate. Dear Sirs, We are returning the K.S. electrical petrol pump which you sent to us for trial. We have been running this pump on an endurance rig and it has completed 825 hours. The pump then failed which on examination was found to be due to one of the valves coming off the spindle. The smaller washer had then got on top of the piston and prevented the contact plates coming together. The only other trouble experienced has been due to the very large accumulation of black sludge which repeatedly blocks the filter. This is no doubt due to the sparking at the contacts decomposing the petrol. We have placed the broken valve and washer in the filter bowl for convenience. We have not dismantled the armature and points, and would like to have these back for inspection when you have examined them yourselves. The failure appears to be due to bad manufacture as the end of the small brass spindle is not properly rivetted over. Yours faithfully, FOR ROLLS-ROYCE LTD. | ||