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).
Magneto faults, specifically 'sleeve flopping', and proposed solutions following a meeting with the supplier, Messrs North & Sons.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 48\2\ Scan312 | |
| Date | 31th August 1925 | |
| - 2 - housing. The sample magnetos supplied at the time were distinctly better than our standard production, but further experience has shown that taken over the mass of magnetos delivered, we are no better off since this supposed improvement has been applied than we were before. Having arrived at the above conclusion, we again sent for Messrs North & Sons and on Thursday afternoon held a very thorough discussion on the subject betwixt ourselves and Mr.Allen for Messrs Norths. We emphasized the fact that in our opinion the real cause of the non-improvement was that the armature structure on its ends and the dimensions of the housings were such as to make it almost impossible to obtain rigidity and that in our opinion no real advance could be made unless the maker were tackled boldly and the dimensions sufficiently increased to enable very much stiffer housings for the sleeve and ends for same to be incorporated. Mr.Allen ultimately agreed that our contentions were justified, and went away with the intention of producing:- a {Mr Adams} /- stiffer housings in a temporary method. b/- a complete re-design of these features on the magneto. 4. I wish now to put forward the position which is as follows:- a {Mr Adams} /- We are of the opinion that temporary quietness or absence from "sleeve flopping" was obtained only by the use of a felt packing which was used for lubricating purposes, and that as soon as this packing wore, "sleeve flopping" recommenced. b/- In my opinion, all the magnetos delivered are liable to develop a similar trouble, after some length of time. Mr. confirms this by stating that all Trials Cars when delivered, were delivered with good magnetos so far as this particular fault is concerned, but in every case where he has had an opportunity of trying cars later, the fault had developed again. c/- In view of this position, therefore, namely, that the magnetos all appear to develop sleeve flopping, and that comparatively rapidly, there does not seem to be much object in attempting to camouflage facts as they stand. The temporary expedient is not lasting. In any case, to arrive at it is a costlyprocess for Messrs Norths, and not satisfactory to us, and Contd. | ||