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).
Test report on the Phantom II Water Pump, detailing issues with the 'Thermoflex' Bellows and Carbon Gland.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149a\1\ scan0061 | |
| Date | 19th November 1934 | |
| E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/WB.{Mr Brazier/Mr Bell} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/WB.{Mr Brazier/Mr Bell}2/MA.19.11.34. LEC.3829 P.II WATER PUMP. "Thermoflex" Bellows and Carbon Gland. This, the first pump ofthis type to be built, was unsatisfactory in its original form, firstly due to the overheating of the thrust face of the spindle, and secondly because of the leak through the gland faces. Giving a highly polished finish to the gland and thrust faces, together with the modifications directed in memo E/JNR.{Charles L. Jenner}1/HP.27.10.34., effectively cured the leak, and also the thrust face overheating, the latter being considered to be mainly due to the reduction of the thrust spring load. After a short, satisfactory, test run - 1½ hrs. at 4500 P.R.P.M., 95°C. water temperature, the pump was stripped, and after examination, reassembled without further alteration, and retested, the times and conditions of the test are shown in the attached chart. To simulate working conditions, the pump was assembled dry, the oil tube filled with oil before starting up, and the lubrication left untouched throughout the remainder of the run - the major portion of the oil was expelled via the thrust joint in the first 3 hours. After 9.5 hrs. total running time the pump was functioning correctly, but, after standing overnight it was observed to have leaked slightly, and after a further 3½ hrs. running it was leaking badly. When examined the bellows was found to be fractured, presumably due to frictional torque, there was no evidence of spring chafing. Alternate expansion and contraction, together with the hardening of the bellows material may have been contributory factors. During the test it was observed that the carbon thrust bush was rotating when the pump was hot, due to the expansion of its aluminium housing - it was firmly fixed when the pump was cold. | ||