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 from The Aerolite Piston Co. Ltd. declining to design a split skirt piston due to technical constraints.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 77\1\ scan0027 | |
| Date | 19th January 1920 | |
| GERRARD 7865 Mr Hives X 2774 MOTOCOQ, REG, LONDON THE AEROLITE PISTON CO. LTD SOLE PROPRIETORS OF AEROLITE ALLOYS. DESIGNERS & MANUFACTURERS OF AEROLITE ALLOY PISTONS FOR AEROPLANE & CAR MOTORS. CONTRACTORS TO THE ADMIRALTY & WAR OFFICE. Offices: Hanover Court Yard, Hanover Street, London, W.1. IN REPLY PLEASE QUOTE A X/XL 19th January 1920. Messrs. Rolls Royce Ltd., D E R B Y. Dear Sirs, AEROLITE SPLIT SKIRT PISTONS. In further reply to your letter of the 1st inst. signed by Mr. Hives, we have gone very carefully into the question of a design of split skirt, and fear that this cannot be satisfactorily accomplished. Our difficulty is that the bosses are so low down and leave so little skirt, that it is impossible to get sufficient'spring' or to lengthen the skirt sufficiently for our purpose. Apparently, your piston has been considerably altered in the last year or so, as we had previously designed a piston which has been fitted to one of your cars, and, we understand, has given satisfactory results. We enclose our print, A.P.P. 217 to show you the type of piston then designed. In conclusion, we regret very much that we are not able to put forward a design, which, as you know, we are very anxious to do, and must apologise for troubling you in the matter. If at any time you are re-ducing your piston, and consider that we could embody a satisfactory modification, we shall be very glad to hear from you. The "split skirt piston" is giving most excellent results in other engines, entirely eliminating slap, and cutting down oil consumption. Yours faithfully, For THE AEROLITE PISTON Co., Ltd., p.p. Allen Ward and Drivien [Signature] [STAMP: Enclosure] [STAMP: RECEIVED] [STAMP: S.D. 20 JAN 1920] | ||