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).
Failures in petrol pumps fitted with Neoprene Fabric diaphragms and requesting a remedy.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\5\ scan0237 | |
| Date | 3rd January 1940 | |
| To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Derby (Handwritten signature: Pum/Rtoy) 1245 Levallois, Sr/VA.7/HM.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs}3.1.40 re: PETROL PUMPS. ----------- With reference to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/JBD.{John B. Dixon - Fuel Systems}14/JH.27.6.39, we have recently run into a bit of trouble on several petrol pumps on which we have fitted Neoprene Fabric diaphragms owing to some of the rollers being trapped by the Neoprene. We should mention that the diaphragm assemblies were already fitted with a .020" thick fabric annular ring. In one case a pump on which we had fitted the above type of diaphragms gave trouble after about 1.000 kms. and upon dismantling it we found that 5 of the rollers had seized and were very badly worn. We shall be glad if you will kindly let us have the following information as soon as possible as we are at present rather short of reconditioned pumps. 1°- Can a thicker annular ring be fitted behind the diaphragm and the pot in/order to give more clearance between the rollers and the diaphragm. 2°- Should the nuts which hold the diaphragm to the body of the pump be moderately or ~~fairly well~~ tightened up, our electrician thinks that the pump works better when the nuts are only moderately tightened. Our electrician also thinks that the above mentioned trouble may be due to the diaphragm not being concentric with its spindle because he finds that out of the eleven rollers it is usually 4 or 5 which seize. Have you experienced similar trouble if so please let us know the remidy. Sr/VA. (Handwritten initials: VJ) | ||