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).
Dynamometer testing of a modified bevel pinion and thrust bearing arrangement.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\F\May1921\ Scan55 | |
| Date | 24th May 1921 | |
| R.R. 236A (50 T. S.H. 986, 19-2-11) G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 3008 Contd. -2- Mel/LG24.5.21. ************** used on the bevel pinion is similar to the deep groove type. We have taken a standard axle and removed the brass nut from the thrust bearing, which normally takes the reverse thrust, and have screwed the thrust housing and fitted a large ring nut so that the ball journal bearing takes the thrust. We have run this arrangement for 15 hours on the Dynamometer at full power 1000 R.P.M. on the reverse. Running on the reverse full power is a very much more severe condition than the average condition we get on the road. We have examined the journal bearing after this 15 hours run and find it to be in perfect condition. We propose now to rig up a revolving test and test a pair of the Hoffmann bearings used on the bevel pinion to see what thrust load they will carry without wear. We consider that if we can prove that these journal bearings will take the necessary thrust, that this arrangement will is the cheapest, simplest and the most satisfactory to apply to existing cars. We recommend that a design is got out immediately so that this can be adopted without delay. We have dismantled an axle which has been running for some time fitted with a double thrust race. We find there that the thrust washer which has been fixed to the shaft has been turning round. No appreciable wear has taken place but we suggest that the shoulder of the propeller shaft should be increased. At present this shoulder is only .050" deep which gives very little surface and allows the distance piece to wear rapidly. In carrying out the tests on the dynamometer, running the car on the reverse, we had considerable trouble with the reverse contd:- | ||