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).
The complete failure of a starter motor Bendix gear drive for a 20-HP chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 40\6\ Scan057 | |
| Date | 17th July 1923 | |
| X3592 BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} [struck through] o.{Mr Oldham} to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} o.{Mr Oldham} to Sft.{Mr Swift} c. to EFC. re. 20-HP CHASSIS - COMPLETE FAILURE OF STARTER MOTOR BENDIX GEAR DRIVE. We have had a case returned to us of the armature shaft breaking right off, which piece has been inspected by Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} (Will Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} send on to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} to examine.) This failure occurred and was rectified at Cricklewood and we are trying to obtain further information which will give us some clue as to the actual cause of the failure and whether it is likely to occur again. The spring drive appears to be working quite satisfactorily and it may be that the shaft when in position was not correctly in line. There is also evidence that the collar of the Bendix pinion appears to have been butting against the edges of the teeth of the flywheel. We have examined all others on test (about 4). These are O.K. in this respect. Do you consider we should examine and correct this type of gear for this feature retrospectively and if so are there any other parts for inspection and correction you can suggest. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||