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).
Vibration and failures of coil-ignition units on a Vulture Engine II during a 100-hour development test.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 142\1\ scan0275 | |
| Date | 1st November 1938 | |
| November 1938. VIBRATION RECORDED ON COIL-IGNITION UNITS. Vulture Engine II, No.4 during 100 hours development. 1. INTRODUCTION AND REVIEW OF FAILURES.- Some concern has been occasioned by the failures of coil ignition units on Vulture II - 4 whilst running a 100 hours development test for the revised reduction gear and camdrive layout, in accordance with the schedule LR{Mr Ellor}/HAR.10/WJ.21.9.38. The following are a summary of engine running conditions and ignition failures reported :- (i) Running - Cruising { 10 hrs. 2600 RPM. 5 lbs.in.-2 M.S. 10 hrs. total } { 10 hrs. 2600 RPM. 5 lbs.in.-2 F.S. 20 " " } { 5 hrs. 2600 RPM. 5 lbs.in.-2 F.S. 25 " " } Test Bed Climbing { 5 hrs. 2850 RPM. 6 lbs.in.-2 F.S. 30 " " } { 20 hrs. 2850 RPM. 6 lbs.in.-2 M.S. 50 " " } Hangar Cruising { 20 hrs. 2600 RPM. 5 lbs.in.-2 M.S. 70 " " } Engine returned to test-bed for remainder of run. (ii) Failures - 15 hrs. "C" distributor rotor and blade loose. } Test Bed. 20 hrs. "C" " earth wire. } 38 hrs. "D" rotor arm, fractured coil. } "D" " ", "B" and "C" coils, } Hangar. several long holding } down bolts. } 48 hrs. "D" coil broken away from distributor } The engine was free from ignition trouble during the remaining 30 hours on the test bed. The salient feature of the above record is the concentration of failures on the hangar at maximum climbing conditions (i.e.2850 r.p.m.) and the almost complete restriction to the lower banks. Satisfactory operation was obtained for a further 20 hours on the hangar at 2600 r.p.m. | ||