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).
Visit to R.A.E. Farnborough to inspect a faulty boost regulator, detailing the causes and proposed modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179\2\ img220 | |
| Date | 10th February 1932 | |
| ORIGINAL K4033 R.{Sir Henry Royce} From HE/Fms. C. to SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} C. to BG. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} C. to WH. R.{Sir Henry Royce} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Fms.2/MA.10. 2. 32. VISIT TO R.A.E. FARNBOROUGH. We made a visit to Farnborough, at the request of the RAE for the purpose of inspecting the Boost Regulator which is under flight observation. The regulator which has flown satisfactorily for 26 hours, since adjusting, started to function erratically, and maintain the boost pressure at a lower value than required. On examination we found the aneroid locking device had worn badly, and the aneroid had been "chattering" in the threads of the casing and the threads of the aneroid and casing were badly worn. A considerable amount of metal dust had formed and found its way to the piston valve and its connecting link, causing the connecting joint to wear considerably by acting as a grinding compound. This wear amounted to app. .020", allowing the piston valve to sag that amount, and in effect, alter the adjustment of the valve relative to the operating ports. This we consider, to be the direct cause of the faulty operation of the system. The unit was brought back to the works and inspected, for the purpose of modifying the aneroid locking device, to prevent chattering. We wish to point out that the aneroid casing is far too heavy, considering the sylphon is only .010" thickness, and the aneroid is only located in the screw threads of the unit casing, the locking device being only to prevent rotation. A scheme is required, in which the aneroid is locked firmly in the screw threads, after adjusting, as the unit is likely to be subjected to a fair amount of vibration, being fitted on the top of the supercharger casing. We consider the ball connecting joint for the piston valve, should be provided with a spring loading, as we can anticipate wear at this point due to the valve having shown signs of rotating, but the main feature of the | ||