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).
Descriptive document for the Guillet Vibrating Cord Stroboscope and its special Neon Lamp, explaining its function and applications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 79\1\ scan0265 | |
| Date | 16th August 1928 guessed | |
| Description of the Guillet Vibrating Cord “Stroboscope” with special Neon Lamp. For the examination and measuring the effects of high speeds and vibrations there are but few practical and simple types of apparatus which enable manufacturers to investigate the functioning of the machine under actual working conditions. The Vibrating Cord Stroboscope of Prof. Guillet of the Paris Faculty of Sciences, furnished with A.{Mr Adams} Bertrand’s “baladeuse” Neon Lamp successfully supplies this deficiency. It permits of the accurate observation of the parts under actual working conditions, especially at high speeds, and it is precisely the action of rapidly moving parts which raises the most delicate problems. This apparatus utilises in an absolutely new way, the Stroboscopic principle described in “The Engineer,” February 20th. The Stroboscopic effect has been looked upon as being only applicable in the scientific laboratory and as being too complex and inconvenient in its application for general industrial uses. The Vibrating Cord Stroboscope with Neon Lamp is however a most simple, durable and practical instrument based upon this well known and very valuable scientific principle. The apparatus, Fig 1. consists essentially of a vibrator, a small transformer and a “baladeuse” Neon Lamp, the whole contained in a portable case weighing about 16 lbs. without the small set of accumulators. There are no synchronous motors, gears, rectifiers or tuning fork attachments. The Vibrator is formed of a cord, the motion of which is sustained by an electro-magnet fronting the centre of the span, and actuated by current from a battery of a few small accumulators. The current is cut off by the cord itself at the moment of its passing through the position of equilibrium. The contact is placed close to its point of attachment and can be regulated by a fixed micrometer screw. The frequency of the cord is modified by imperceptible degrees through varying its tension by means of a screw furnished with a large diameter head with an accurately divided scale of such a nature that the frequency corresponding to each tension may be ascertained. The electrically controlled cord opens and closes the primary circuit of the induction coil, the secondary of which feeds a Neon Lamp Fig. 2 which can be readily brought into proximity with the part to be studied. The flashing frequency of the Neon Lamp coincides exactly with that of the cord, and thus it is possible, at any moment, to follow very conveniently any machine motion or vibration. Industrial Applications.— In the Motor Car Industry the Stroboscope allows for the examination of all parts of a chassis with its engine and the detection, for example, of the faulty working of the valves, Fig. 3, or the defective action of a magneto. Fig. 1. General View of the “ Stroboscope ” with Neon Lamp. Fig. 2. Special “BERTRAND” Neon Lamp. | ||