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).
Faulty Bentley petrol pumps due to incorrect material and the arrangements for their replacement.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149\1\ scan0045 | |
| Date | 18th July 1934 | |
| To Sft.{Mr Swift} c.c. to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c.c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c.c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Bentley Petrol Pumps. We have heard from the S.U. Co. that a large number of the above pumps have been supplied with incorrect coil core material due to the fact that Messrs. Hadfields who supply this material have used 3% nickel with the iron, thus pulling down the efficiency of the pumps at the top of the stroke. This of course makes the pumps "sluggish" in operation and in time when the diaphragms lose a certain amount of their flexibility the pumps fail altogether. Up to date we have had one complaint of sticking pumps and the reason we have not had more is evidently due to the fact that Bentley pumps have a slightly shorter stroke than the standard S.U. therefore the "make & break" is made before the most deficient period of the stroke is reached. However, we have arranged with Mr. Skinner of the S.U. Co. that all "suspect" pumps shall be changed over. They will as soon as possible supply us with 12 pumps for replacement purposes and continue to supply as we return the faulty ones for rectification. When these are to hand will you please give the necessary instructions to all Depots for the changeover. The S.U. Co. is not quite sure of the number supplied with faulty cores; therefore they are replacing all pumps supplied from the end of 1933 onwards to a recent date which they will ascertain from their records. Will you also please have all pumps in stock at present packed up for Thursday morning, when we will arrange for them to be taken to the S.U. Co. who will inspect them, rectify if necessary and return the same day. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/J.Bowering. | ||