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).
Delco's separate dynamos and starting motors, detailing design makeshifts and issues with early models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 39\3\ Scan008 | |
| Date | 17th April 1918 | |
| E.E. W(G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 648, 18-5-20) G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 2018 Contd. -8- Oy6/RMF17.4.18. Delco people are not strictly adhering to the single unit systems, but are also manufacturing separate dynamos and starting motors to suit their various customers. In some cases they have been forced bynthe exigencies of the automobile construction to use some most extraordinary makeshifts in the way of overhung pinions on starting motors, which project in-the-way from the motor a matter of 4" or more, and also they have in one case had to cut the casing of the starting motor open so that the armature is within a fine clearance distance of the crankchamber whilst twisting the pole pieces around, as shown on the marginal sketch. This is, of course to get a driving on an existing flywheel diameter. Teir later outfits show less of this makeshift design, and appear excellent in every way. They still cling to the silent free wheel type of drive for the starting motor, but do not run this free wheel all the time th engine is running, as was the case with some of the earlier starters, the trouble with which was that either the free wheel refused to free itself or refused to grip, so that the motor in the one case was raced around by the engine to the destruction of the armature and the gears, while in the other case the engine refused to start. The Delco uses gears which are engaged endways, like a change speed box, and the free wheel only comes into action should the operator be slow in releasing the starter pedal after the engine is starter. The pinion is of soft steel since it has been found impossible to obtain the accuracy required for silent running with Contd. | ||