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).
Failure of petrol pumps due to diaphragm material and advocating for a new type.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 130\2\ scan0140 | |
| Date | 15th September 1936 | |
| X111-3 To By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Cricklewood, Sept. 15th, 1936. Petrol Pumps. I have received your memo. re not introducing the new material for the diaphragms. I am not aware what discussions have taken place by the Administration, but gather that we have not carried out sufficient tests. My reply is that the material was changed previously from the skin type which failed, to the present type, without the knowledge we now have, and being aware of all the faults the present fabric is giving us, and the assurance of the S.U.Co. of the superiority of the G.II material, it is almost impossible to be worse off than what we are at the moment. The failures of the S.U. pumps are getting serious, not entirely through the fabrics, but with high speed cars 90% are fabric troubles. This week 2 Phantom III have stopped through failure of pumps. In the interests of R.R. we have endeavoured to prevent the failure and we are of the opinion that the G.II diaphragms would go a long way in doing so. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/G.W.Hancock. | ||