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).
Petrol supply systems and pump technologies observed at the 1937 Motor Show.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149\6\ scan0099 | |
| Date | 4th November 1937 | |
| FILES. c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} 1263 MOTOR SHOW 1937. Petrol Supply. The comparatively few stripped chassis made it difficult to gain much useful information. The A.C. pump was fitted to the majority of cars. I took particular interest in the Continental cars which one would expect owing to the Summer conditions and Alpine passes would be free from vapour trouble. There were however no general conclusions to be drawn from the Continental chassis as to the best position for a mechanical pump with the exception of the Lancia which had the A.C. pump placed below and in front of the radiator matrix. The Hotchkins and Delahaye had the pump mounted in the centre and rear end of the camshaft in the conventional American manner. In contrast to the above the Bugatti mounted the pump at the rear end of the overhead camshaft but with a bonnet louvred on top and sides you would not expect high under bonnet temperatures. The Mercedes Benz had an elaborate three piston valveless pump with a relief valve as on Aero pumps in which these appeared to be a syphon in addition to a spring probably used to increase the feed pressure according to the boost. The S.U. petrol pump was fitted to Alvis, Lagonda, S.S. Jaguar in addition to complete Morris range. The Amal mechanical petrol pump employs the underside of the diaphragm for pumping and have always done so, they claim this leaves a cushion of air or vapour on the diaphragm and reduces hydraulic shocks. The A.C. Company have recently followed suit in the case of the large type A.J. pump. Other features of interest on this pump are the valves, no springs are used and a thick Toughnal disc forms the suction valve and a small stainless steel ball the delivery. The filter bowl is fitted under the pump and no air bottle is fitted on the delivery side. | ||