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).
Bentley radiator tests comparing Harrison type and standard matrix constructions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 87\1\ scan0083 | |
| Date | 14th September 1934 | |
| To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} X 240 HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson}12/KW.14.9.34. Bentley Radiator Tests. We send you herewith results of radiator tests carried out at Brooklands and in France. The main object of these tests was to get comparisons between the Harrison type of matrix construction which we have managed to get Marstons to adopt, and the standard construction which they are at present using for our radiators. The results show that in spite of having to reduce the thickness of the radiator from 84 m.m. to 58 m.m., we are rather more than 12% better off for cooling with a narrow matrix due to its being a Harrison type core. There are one or two slight discrepancies in the tests, in particular that the figures for the 70 m.m. Harrison type core do not seem logical; we are however repeating these. Hancock's tests taken in France were run on 3rd speed and therefore are not directly concerned with our own figures. Their main value is that they confirm that the narrow Harrison is appreciably more efficient than our present standard product. Taking the Bentley cooling system generally as now produced, we should say that we have a satisfactory margin of safety for all normal conditions, because EH. has just concluded a considerable tour in the Alps and at no time has he had anything approaching overheating. If therefore you wish to reduce the height of the radiator we think that this would be permissible with the 58 m.m. matrix which we have just standardised, to the extent of at least 12%, thereby permitting more room for centrally mounting the wings and radiator. | ||