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).
Inquiry from General Motors about a pressure relief valve similar to their 'Swank valve'.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149a\3\ scan0131 | |
| Date | 11th September 1934 | |
| Please Return HARRISON DIVISION GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION LOCKPORT, NEW YORK September 11, 1934 Mr. W. A.{Mr Adams} Robotham, Rolls-Royce Ltd., Derby, England. Dear Mr. Robotham: We are contemplating the use of a pressure relief valve which is known here as the Swank valve. This valve is supposed to be the invention of a Mr. Swank, and is marked "patent pending". It is a spring loaded valve suspended from the under portion of the filler cap. When the pressure in the system reaches a predetermined point the valve opens, permitting the water to reach the overflow pipe. In the center of the valve there is another small valve opening downward and suspended by a light spring, the theory being that, should a vacuum occur in the system, this small valve would be pulled open, permitting air to enter. Mr. Saunders tells me that, when you were here some time ago, he saw on your car a valve which was almost a duplicate of the one I have described. I am wondering if you would be good enough to give me what information you can with respect to the valve which Mr. Saunders saw - that is to say, how long it has been in use in England and whether or not patented there. If you could, I would very much appreciate your sending a drawing showing the valve which Mr. Saunders has described. We should be very grateful for any information you might be able to give us in this connection. With kind regards, Yours very truly, D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} B. Mecorney, Executive Secretary, HARRISON DIVISION GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. DBM:G HEAT TRANSFER PRODUCTS AVIATION - AUTOMOTIVE - INDUSTRIAL RADIATORS - SHUTTERS - OIL TEMPERATURE REGULATORS - CAR HEATERS - THERMOSTATS - CONDENSERS | ||