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).
Modifications to the Wraith III petrol tank to address failures on the bump chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 10\2\ 02-page13 | |
| Date | 8th April 1937 | |
| SECRET. E/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}3/MN.8.4.37. To EY. Copy to Dept. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} Hiv/Dixon. Wraith III Petrol Tank. The petrol tank on the bump chassis failed due to the baffles coming adrift in the tank and the suspension straps fracturing at the forward pin joint. On LeC.5606 herewith we show a baffle .024" thick in the place of the original baffle which was .018". At the same time we have provided finger grooves lying in a position to take the load on the baffle which is applied by the suspension strap. It has been necessary to delete the cut-outs in the baffle opposite the two lower radii in the transverse section of the tank because it is at this point that the maximum load from the strap is applied. The finger grooves will also stiffen the baffle against surging of the petrol. The flange of the baffle has been increased from .625" to .750" in order to give a larger sweating area. We wish to turn round the baffles from the position in which they are shown on LeC.5162, sheet 2. That is to say we would like the flanges looking in towards the centre of the tank. This would enable a strong fillet of solder to be applied to the stiff radiused corner at the junction between the baffle and its flange. As suggested by the Expl. Dept. the forward pin joint on the suspension strap has been deleted, and the lower strap attachment made in one with the shoe. We think these modifications will overcome the difficulties experienced on the bump chassis. EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Att:LeC.5606. | ||