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).
Series of questions seeking information on the performance and characteristics of the Cotal gearbox.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\5\ scan0245 | |
| Date | 19th January 1940 | |
| 1245 see file 1153 W/P - Sr. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/JH.19.1.40. We are interested in the Cotal box. We are particularly anxious to get accurate information as to the behaviour of this box in the hands of the public. Can you obtain answers to the following questions from people in France who have used this box? (1) What is the weight of the gearbox and the size of the engine on which experience has been gained. (2) Are the gears and bearings durable? (3) If the clutches remain sweet in action, or if they become fierce? (4) The magnetic clutches take 2.5 amps. continuously from a 12 volt battery. Has this box run down batteries in the hands of the public? (5) Has anyone who has fitted this box as standard, abandoned it? (6) How does the cost compare with the synchromesh four speed gearbox? I have had a talk with Lp.{Mr Lappin} about the Seaplane landing gear. He says that to get the Air Ministry really interested we shall have to supply a detailed technical description of the reasons which lead to the design of this equipment and the way in which the required characteristics have been obtained. Lp.{Mr Lappin} says that if we can get the information he hopes to be able to get the people concerned to come over and have a look at the device in operation. You could probably trasncribe the description better than anyone this side. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||