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).
Observations and proposed solutions regarding heat in the driving compartment, focusing on heat radiated from the dashboard and hot air leaks.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179b\1\ img052 | |
| Date | 7th September 1932 | |
| HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} FROM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} C-to SS.{S. Smith} WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} C - to DV. PN.{Mr Northey} CX.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} LES ORIGINAL see me DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}2/M7.9.32. HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} r819. HEAT IN DRIVING COMPARTMENT. With reference to the report on the above - HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/LES5/KT2932 - we would like to make the following observations without it being thought in the least that we are doubting the results of the actual experiments made: HEAT RADIATED FROM THE DASHBOARD. We are surprised to find that there is only a difference of 2°C. (nearly 4°F.{Mr Friese}) by shutting off the dashboard by sheet asbestos. We think this may be accounted for by the fact that the thermometer during the test was not placed in the neighbourhood of the driver's feet where the heat is felt, but just in front of the driving seat, not a point where heat is usually complained of. We think if possible the test should be repeated, and temperatures taken a few inches above the sloping floorboards. We do know that the dashboard gets so hot that one can barely hold one's hand on it, and therefore it must heat up the air inside the scuttle. We agree that the bonnet side of the dash cannot be easily covered, but we think the coachbuilders could regularly carry the carpet of the front compartment right up to the top of the back of the dash. If necessary this carpet could be lined with some heat resisting material. A friend of mine has a car so treated. HOT AIR LEAKS. We agree that these must be reduced to an absolute minimum, and have supplied Derby a long while ago with schemes for distribution among coachbuilders. Our gearbox actuating shaft is fitted with a sheet metal plate and felt, on both cars, and we have shewn how for a few pence this may be made into a perfect gas-tight seal by wood blocks on the floorboards. We think this should have been circularised to coachbuilders long ago, in fact, we were not aware that it had not been done, and presumed JG. would have at least had instructions to have seen that cars were so equipped. With regard to the hot air around the pedal stems we understood these had a felt gland, which can be easily applied when adjustable pedal stems are used, as the gland consists then of merely a punched ring of felt fastened to the underside of the floorboards by a sheet metal disc. With brazed pedal stems the felt disc has to be split, but we think this was standard at one time, if not now. (1) | ||