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).
Letter suggesting the use of a fusible alloy instead of mercury for cooling aeroplane engine spark plugs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 34\2\ Scan112 | |
| Date | 25th May 1918 | |
| I. F.R. M.D. 28 MAY 1918 7 Churchill Terrace, Holywood, Co. Down. 25th May, 1918 Sir, I believe that the sparking plug used on aeroplane engines is liable to become overheated. I believe that if the mercury used for cooling were replaced by a fusible alloy the evil effects of the heating would be diminished. If a suitable alloy were used it should be possible to have the alloy solid at the colder parts of the plug & liquid at the hotter. If this could be arranged it would mean that there would be continuous fusion & condensation solidification; in such a case the transference of heat to the radiating fins would be far more rapid than it could possibly be by conduction alone. Should the sparking plug not work as I anticipate I think it would still | ||