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 to Capt. Hartcup discussing the difficulties of fitting his petrol gauge design, citing issues with sealing and modern practice.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 147\3\ scan0178 | |
| Date | 8th November 1938 | |
| 1247 (Experimental Dept.) Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}11/JBD{John B. Dixon - Fuel Systems}/R.{Sir Henry Royce} 8th November, 1938. Capt. Hartcup, 41, Digby Mansions, HAMMERSMITH. W.6. Dear Sir, We thank you for your letter of the 5th instant. Since our interview we have realised another trouble that we should encounter if your gauge was fitted to our petrol tank. The filler cap for the tank is quite a distance above the top of the tank, and accordingly it is essential that all the fittings to the tank even on the top do not leak when the tank is filled up to the filler, which may subject the gauge to about 1 foot lead of petrol. With your gauge as it is at present designed, it would not be petrol tight, and we are unable to visualize any really simple and reliable way to overcome this trouble. We would, however, be interested to see any scheme you may have to overcome this difficulty (even a rough sketch). The floor of the luggage boot is not fitted with laths so we cannot save space in the method suggested. I have discussed the gauge with several people here, and without exception they object to it on the grounds that it requires manual operation, and for this reason it is not really suited to modern automobile practice where the visual reading electric gauge has now been brought to a high standard of reliability. I regret I have been unable to trace the hydrostatic gauge I told you about so cannot give you the name of the Makers, though I have an idea it was Dobbie McInnes Ltd., 57, Bothwell Street, Glasgow, who make the Farnborough Indicator and other gauges. | ||