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).
Failures and proposed solutions for trafficator indicator arms.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 166\6\ img036 | |
| Date | 3rd February 1941 | |
| To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/RC.{R. Childs} Copy to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wym.{G. Harold Whyman - Experimental Manager} 6073 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/RC.{R. Childs}5/ET.3.2.41. TRAFFICATORS. ------------ Trafficator failures, during the last month, may be divided into two kinds:- 1. sluggish action of the indicator arm. 2. Indicator sticking in the "OFF" position. In the case of 1., the fault is due to corrosion of the brass bush forming the arm pivot. The bearing for the pivot is of a zinc alloy and shows no sign of corrosion. Two failures of this kind have been investigated during the last month, one on a Rover and the other on our Vauxhall. In each case, cleaning off the corrosion completely cured the trouble. We are now arranging for one trafficator on each experimental car to have this pivot chromium plated in order to find out whether such a modification will prevent corrosion. In the case of 2., we have had three failures:- 1-B-50, 30-G-VII and the Morris "8". It was found that the rubber buffer upon which the arm presses when in the "OFF" position was the cause of the trouble. The contact surface of this buffer is of a spherical shape, and in each of the above cases, was found to be slightly off centre with the arm, the result being that a side thrust was imparted to the arm, causing it to foul. In each case the arm fouled the front edge of the pillar. Centralising the buffer cured the trouble. We recommend here a buffer having a flatter contact surface. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/RC.{R. Childs} | ||