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).
Summary of experience and testing on rubber joint connecting tubes for the Phantom III and Wraith models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 151\2\ scan0324 | |
| Date | 4th August 1937 | |
| 1292 To E {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} /De. from HPS. {Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} C. to E {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} /MV. C. to BI. C. to Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} HPS. {Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} 5/VS. {J. Vickers} 4.8.37. RUBBER JOINT CONNECTING TUBES. Further to our recent comments in connection with the above, the following is a summary of our experience with this form of connecting link on Phantom III and Wraith. Phantom III NS. {Norman Scott} 4880 and Wraith II LeC.5160. When assembling the first Wraith II type connecting tubes, difficulty was experienced due to excessive volume of the rubbers, FW.600, supplied. This was overcome in this particular instance by reducing the length of each rubber by .070". Later the matter was investigated more fully, and it was then found that by reducing the free length of each rubber by .050" (i.e. to .715") the end caps FW.221 could just be fitted; for general use, .070" reduction is recommended. To obtain a comparison between the R.R. and U.S.A. types of joints, a Wraith II (with rubbers reduced .050") and a Phantom III assembly were subjected to compression and torsion tests similar to those instituted for the U.S.A. type. Comparing the attached results with the previous U.S.A. results, the R.R. joints were almost twice as flexible as the U.S.A. type under direct loading. Torsionally, the R.R. types were also more flexible, and incidentally possessed more friction - in each case the readings were taken up to 45° angular movement. FW.852 End Plug - Wraith II. The above tests were performed with details to the original schemes, the end plugs (FW.224 & F.88654) of which were found to be difficult to locate in the slots, whilst screwing on the end caps. continued. | ||