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).
Letter from 'R' to Mr. Rowledge discussing design improvements for the 'Eagle' XX aero engine.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\N\2July1925-September1925\ Scan90 | |
| Date | 22th September 1924 | |
| ORIGINAL Copy of Letter received by Rg.{Mr Rowledge} on Wednesday afternoon, 24.9.24 Rg.{Mr Rowledge} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} C. to Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} C. to Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} C. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} C. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} WISBECH. 22.9.24 My dear Mr. Rowledge, Re "Eagle" XX - I had a fear that we should still be pipped by the "Lion", so suggested an increased cylinder bore, which should permit also a slightly faster speed (because of the proportionately larger valves), so that we could beat the Curtiss, at least equal the "Lion", and get a little more clear of the air-cooled. We at West WitteringHenry Royce's home town have done a little work towards it, which promises hopeful. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} will keep you well informed in case you see faults, or do not approve. Stresses in crankchamber due to inertia are my constant fear, and I should welcome some scheme of more balanced arrangement of balance weights to save both crankchamber and bearings. Napier engine reported by Lp.{Mr Lappin} is only a proposal, not likely to be made experimentally, but shows we ought to try to impress Air People that we are getting on and have good prospects of success. Position of magnetos is a problem (crossway or parallel?) to keep clear of suspension of an inverted engine. Lp.{Mr Lappin} did not seem to think inverting was so advantageous as we do, but I certainly think we should build for either way up, carburetters at the back, where also camshaft drive, to keep cowling neat and small as possible just behind the propeller. I am not yet convinced, nor do I understand why, the disc crankshaft does not improve the 20 H.P. car engine, which seems rough above 60 m.p.h. ( Contd. ) | ||