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).
Technical discussion about the design and performance of a pump and valve system, claimed by Mr. Twambley as his invention.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 77\4\ scan0016 | |
| Date | 26th April 1917 | |
| H.R. 235A (500 T) (S.D. 408. 26-4-17.) Bm. 2/156/13. -2- OY2/FMF17518. Contd. when the explosion pressure has ceased. The pump delivers up a stand pipe, which is closed by a flat disc valve which serves two purposes; (a) as a delivery valve, and (b) as a valve controlling the constant level of the gasolene in the gravity feed chamber surrounding the pump. 4. The form of valve is peculiar, and is claimed by Mr. Twambley as part of his invention. The flat disc is free to revolve, and does so in practice. Hence it has a lifting, revolving, and sliding motion, which combination of movements is said to keep it permanently ground to a seating. The inlet valve is merely a bronze ball valve of the simplest type. 5. I questioned Mr. Twambley as to the life of the apparatus. He states that the apparatus has been used on automobiles for long periods and distances without inspection and without giving trouble. I have only my memory to go on, but I believe he said 20,000 miles has been obtained without trouble. Presumably, a certain amount of oil works up to the pipe from the cylinders, and keeps the leathers in condition. I believe Mr. Twambley said that the gasolene itself did not harm the leather, but I think this must be wrong, as one imagines that it would dissolve the natural oil out of the leather. 6. The mass of the brass pistons coupled with the spring must have a vibration period of its own, but I imagine that this is more rapid than the explosions in any one cylinder, which might run to a maximum of 2,000 explosions per minute in the case of very high speed engines, or possibly the damping effect of the friction of the plunger is sufficient to keep the plunger | ||