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).
Recommending the suspension of single-cylinder engine work and proceeding with the B.50 engine project.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 134\1\ scan0068 | |
| Date | 22th December 1937 | |
| 1129 also Policy By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. REC. c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. Ey/Jnr.{Charles L. Jenner} Rml/R.22.12.37. CAR SINGLE CYLINDER WORK. We have now reached a point where we believe it best to stop single cylinder work until we get some main engine results. We can go on indefinitely trying refinements, but the vital point is, can we reproduce on a six cylinder unit the characteristics we have already obtained on the single. Had it not been for the results given by the O.H. Camshaft engine we should not be optimistic; but that unit proved that given improved breathing, we could increase our output by 30%. The ratio of piston area of the O.H. valve area camshaft is 3.325, the High Power 3.460. Therefore, we expect to be able to approach the O.H. Camshaft top power. With regard to detonation for a given M.E.P., Lr.{Mr Ellor} regards single cylinder units as being reliable yard sticks for comparing combustion chambers for detonation. We have done sufficient check figures to establish what may be considered to be an average figure of merit for the O.H. Inlet, side valve exhaust. head. From the main engine design aspect, all the problems peculiar to the High Power construction have now received consideration, and we believe that potentially rational solutions have been established in every case. We, therefore, recommend that the B.50 engine project should now go ahead with regard to detailing and manufacture, the basic conception being retained that the unit can be either high power or conventional as dictated by experimental results on the main engine unit. We are issuing a project sheet forthwith. From the end of 1937 all car single cylinder work is being suspended until such time as it is considered that the work already done has been justified. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||