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 discussing the feasibility of obtaining a patent for an engine design in light of similarities with the Alta engine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\1\ scan0125 | |
| Date | 28th April 1939 | |
| Sheet 2. Messrs. Rolls-Royce Limited 28th April, 1939 detonant property. If, however, by the use of different clearances and other dimensions from those of the Alta engine you are able to obtain this anti-detonant effect, then by detailing them in the specification it should be possible to get a valid patent; but, as things are at present, it does not appear to us that the provisional specification discloses any real novelty over the Alta engine, and the complete specification, if restricted to details as above suggested, might in consequence have to be divorced from the provisional. From this point of view its early filing is advisable. The alternative course is to rely on the Alta Company remaining benevolent and not disclosing particulars of this anticipation, in which case a broader claim would probably be allowed by the Patent Office. You mention the feature of your valves being vertical or nearly vertical, and that feature would admittedly serve for distinguishing from the Alta engine; but in our opinion it would not justify the granting of a valid patent if in other respects the piston and cylinder-head dimensions were substantially the same. You ask "Will the Alta engine prevent you from getting a patent?" The answer is probably "No", inasmuch as the Patent Office will almost certainly not have particulars of the Alta engine. Yours faithfully, Walford & Hardman Brown | ||