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 and issues of thermostats, including the risk of radiator freezing and the poor quality of gasoline.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 39\4\ Scan037 | |
| Date | 15th February 1921 | |
| X 3499 To R.R. of America Inc. } From R.{Sir Henry Royce} for attention of OY. To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to CJ. c. to WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to FN. c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to EFC. RG{Mr Rowledge}/G15.2.21. X.3563 RE THERMOSTATS X.3456 The combination of thermostat with byepass, I agree has much to be desired, and you will see in my earlier memos I pointed out the defects of this arrangement, but concluded it was the quickest thing to do to enable the cylinders of the engine to be maintained at a proper working temperature. I foresaw the risk of the radiator freezing. I was not, however, aware at the time this was introduced of the general use of alcohol in the cooling water of cars used in U.S.A. We were also not aware of the very serious deterioration of the gasoline available. The last two points mentioned modify one's view as to the advisibility of using such a fitting, but as it appeared to be the practice of several of the leading people in U.S.A. we concluded that it was far better than trusting to a thermometer with hand operated shutters. We did not think that the Packard and Cadillac, and people with the experience of America, would make so serious a mistake as fitting something which could be considered unsatisfactory. You will remember that our original idea was to use a thermostat operating a relay valve, which would cause the shutters to follow the thermostat, by the aid of the oil pressure Contd. | ||