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).
Investigation into leaking shock absorber glands and proposing further tests.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5a\3\ 03-page287 | |
| Date | 13th June 1933 | |
| Mr.G.W.Hancock, c/o Hotel de France, Chateauroux, Indre, FRANCE. To Ha/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} from Ha/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Ha/Pm.12/KT.13.6.33. X5840 SHOCK ABSORBERS - GLANDS LEAKING. We think we have made a very poor job of investigating this trouble at Derby. The outstanding point that requires clearing up is why the new dampers are worse than the old ones although both types are fitted with the same type of gland. We have tried all sorts and kinds of glands and have got all sorts of vague results. We have absolutely no concrete information. Your results show much the same thing, some glands leak and some don't, although all glands are to the same drawing. We want to know :- (1) If distortion of the case, (2) Temperature, (3) Internal pressure - have any bearing on gland leaks. To prove the first point you can run without any damper loads to see if leaking occurs. To prove the second point you can keep all the cooling air off the damper which will allow the damper to heat up, or cover it with asbestos. You might even lead the exhaust gas on to the damper. To prove the 3rd. point you could put a bicycle valve in the cap and blow up the pressure in the damper with a foot pump. We hope Bell will bring us back some really useful information. Ha/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||