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 the cause and solution for exhaust fumes entering closed car bodies, identifying air suction as the root problem.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 74\3\ scan0155 | |
| Date | 3rd June 1924 | |
| L.H.S.{Lord Herbert Scott - Chair} Copy to E.P. EXHAUST FUMES IN CLOSED BODIES. In conversation with E.P. yesterday I learnt there have been several complaints of the existence of exhaust fumes in covered bodies. For some time I have believed there must be a simple cause for this and that the cause would probably be found to be suction of air out of the body. I explained this to E.P. as I had already explained to our principal Coachbuilders. I have to-day been fortunate in testing a double limousine, 44-LM, by Windovers which has a large drop window, with Hall flap in centre, behind the driver. When the windows in driver's compartment were open, and windows in hind compartment closed, there was :- (1) Appreciable suction of air, under the large division window, out of the body. The air is, no doubt, drawn out of the body by the windscreen. Pieces of paper, and smoke, were sucked out of the body at speeds over 20 m.p.h. (2) Great suction of air through the Hall flap when open - sufficient, I think, to cause replacement of the whole of the air in the body in two or three minutes. (3) When division window was lowered about ½" air was drawn out of the body through the opening. I did not find the door-plates caused transference of air as I expected. When the drivers compartment windows were closed the air suction ceased and the atmosphere inside the body immediately sweetened. I suggest this went to prove that air was being forced into the body from the screen opening and no exhaust fumes were being sucked up through the interstices of the floor etc., I submit drivers of Double Limousines should be taught how to ventilate a car i.e. keep front windows up as much as possible, and ventilate front compartment through the scuttle ventilators or screen. I submit, also we should in addition to specifying air tight floorboards and seatboards, specify air-tight division windows. | ||