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).
Unsatisfactory performance of the Bentley ignition tower due to wear and slackness, and proposing potential improvements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\6\ 06-page032 | |
| Date | 5th September 1933 | |
| X-Refd to J.H. To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}10/KT.5.9.33. BENTLEY IGNITION TOWER. There is no doubt that the ignition tower on the Bentley cannot be considered entirely satisfactory. Wear takes place far to readily. An exact explanation of the nature and position of wear was given in a note from GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} which reads as follows :- "You will remember that we had a new tower fitted prior to our leaving, owing to the slackness of the one fitted. The present one has become equally as slack. The cause of the wear and consequent slackness of the tower is due to the pressure exerted by the contact spring. This pressure is trying to heel the tower over, and as the tension of the spring has been raised, and the speed at which the load is applied has been increased (from the 25 HP.) more rapid wear takes place than previously (See sketch attached). "The double spring contacts would overcome the trouble to a large extent." We have a double contact breaker ready for a 10,000 miles test when we have cleared up the first 200 cars, on these, however, we are committed to the single contact breaker, therefore any improvement which can be effected is badly needed. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||