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).
Design flaws and suggested improvements for a petrol level indicator on the Goshawk engine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 75\2\ scan0038 | |
| Date | 1st May 1923 | |
| X3596 To BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence. c. to CJ. BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} PN.{Mr Northey} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} R2/M1.5.23. RE. GOSHAWKS. X.3596. RE. INDICATOR FOR PETROL LEVEL. This works extremely well and is very useful. The glass however is badly made and arranged. The one on No.4 is broken. Firstly, it should be smoothly cast and ground on the edge, not roughly cut with all kinds of surfaces to start cracks inwards. One would think a very cheap way to produce these would be to cast a disc of the correct size and grind and polish the surfaces as you would a lens, but more simply, as it is flat. Secondly, is there no toughened glass that would be less liable to crack. Thirdly, a petrol proof washer of cork or leather, quite parallel, should be used both above and below, of the same diameter as the thread :- [Diagram of a threaded fitting with a glass disc and washer] Thread quite free to universal. Thread milled - no recess for washer to drop in. Test for water tightness by overfilling the tank with petrol; see that there is nothing in the gauge to be spoiled with petrol. I have also suggested a celluloid disc in case of breakage. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||