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).
Conference memo discussing magneto versus battery ignition for aero engines, including design compromises and competitor progress.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179\2\ img250 | |
| Date | 1st February 1932 | |
| -2- The general feeling of the conference was that although there were no doubt technical grounds for objection from a radio point of view, Dr. Bairsto's arguments were too academic and the extra interference with radio was worth dealing with in view of the attractive proposition, from an engine design point of view, of getting in an engine driven generator without unduly increasing weight or head resistance. It transpired that Farnborough had not tested the latest up-to-date screened battery ignition sets as used in America so that they were not in a position to substantiate completely their theoretical arguments. As a compromise Dr. Bairsto suggested that he could look into the question of redesigning aero magnetos so that their external shape was more convenient from an engine design point of view. If this was possible, and we have no doubts, we might be able to get in a generator suitably on the Kestrel but as in any case we should expect considerable delay with any scheme of this nature, it was felt that we should push ahead with our own carefully considered ideas. We pointed out that the Americans were going ahead with battery ignition and had formed a special company e.g. the Delco Aviation Corporation to deal with this business. We feel confident that with generators fitted to aero engines it will be only a question of time before magnetos will be redundant as is now almost universally the case on automobiles. The outcome of the conference was that Major Bulman agreed that we should go on with our scheme of fitting a screened battery ignition head in place of one magneto in order to get in a generator satisfactorily without seriously altering present design. With regard to Dr. Bairsto's idea of redesigning existing magnetos we have invited him to the Works in order to explore the possibilities of his scheme more fully amongst ourselves. HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/wst. | ||