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).
Proposed modifications to the vehicle cooling system, including the radiator and bonnet louvres.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 24\5\ Scan344 | |
| Date | 1st October 1930 | |
| X966 HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} R4/M1.10.30. C. to SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} C. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} C. P. 2. COOLING. X.7260. X.766. X.7250. X.1085. We were very pleased to see that some of the features we have suggested have been made, and appear a distinct advance. (1) We like very much the modification to reduce the friction of the shutters. This seams quite satisfactory and we hope no springs will be thought of to assist the bellows. We must continue to make these shutters at a low temperature. (2) The new annular overflow and valve to prevent loss of water except excess water in the radiator due to expansion and boiling appears if it will be of great value, and well worth its cost. (3) I was very sorry to see that we had not been very successful with the modification of the delivery nozzles in the tank, the perforations for the steam being a failure, and should be closed at once. It is thought that the water is delivered to the upper part of the tank, and the steam would be better able to separate. RG.{Mr Rowledge} prefers the water delivery always to be above the surface of the water. We have little doubt that these modifications will enable the smaller top tank to give greater satisfaction than at present with the larger tank (present standard). (4) In addition we are looking forward with intense interest to the coming of the square tubed radiator with its free-r air and water flow and greater cooling surface. We think these tubes will possibly be found to bear being even larger than the present size which gives somewhat over 8000 per Phantom radiator. (5) Regarding the louvres we are decidedly of the opinion that the horizontal louvres are going to prove both effective and less objectionable to the vertical ones, or the bonnet shutters. It will be remembered that the shutters were convenient for summer and winter use in the old days when we had no shutters on the radiators, but now we had these latter there is no need for bonnet shutters, but I want it to be realised that there should be only one way for production, and that is, horizontally louvres. We have suggested a modification which we think will improve their appearance, and we are also expecting that DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} will have 2 or 3 alternatives for the Sales to judge which they like best. We think it will be found surprising what greater satisfaction a louvred bonnet of this type will give to the owners than our present practice, and we shall be pleased if everyone concerned will push on with them, and other features, with the utmost speed, to get them adopted. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||