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).
Modifications and test failures of a Bensport/Powerplus blower.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 140\1\ scan0032 | |
| Date | 12th October 1932 | |
| X 209 To H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} E.7/HP.12.10.32. re Bensport Blower. Further to our drawing showing outline of modified Powerplus blower, we now attach print of LeC.3239 showing modified internal design. This drawing covers a number of points raised by Messrs. Powerplus, which were suggested by their experience with this form of blower. One of these points is the provision for a gland on the main driving shaft, which they consider is a necessity for good slow running. Actually we should like both the gland and the annulus connected with the carburetter air inlet, but there is not room for both. The seal provided in the annulus design is not considered good enough, so we have shown the gland, and since there is a fair amount of oil likely to get on the shaft we think the gland may last. We have issued LeC.3239 to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} and we are well on the way with our design for the Rootes type of blower. We find that owing to a misunderstanding the Powerplus which seized up on the endurance test at Derby at 5000 r.p.m. was running with the oil pump adjusted for half the required quantity. The seize was not very serious, and the blower is being re-erected for continuing the test. This incident does, however, show up as a weakness of the Powerplus design, as we should not expect the Rootes type to fail in the same way. A print of LeC.3239 is attached for Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||