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).
Report discussing the merits and drawbacks of Sleeve Valve and Overhead Camshaft engine designs for an in-line car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 134\2\ scan0045 | |
| Date | 18th July 1935 | |
| -4- HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}15/KW.18.7.35. Sleeve Valve Unit. In HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}8/KW.1.2.35. we suggested that it was worth while investigating the sleeve valve in relation to an in-line car engine. As no-one appears to have done this, we got Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Smth. to run over a few of the points which appeared problematical to us, and attached is a copy of his analysis. The breathing is not particularly good, even when the engine is made appreciably longer than our present practice. The balance is definitely a problem, and one cannot contemplate the individual sleeve drives with equanimity. Furthermore, there is always the "skeleton in the cupboard" of the sleeve valve engine overoiling. Sleeve valve development work, however, will inevitably go on in connection with aircraft development, and should answer some of the problems, particularly with regard to the durability and silence of the drive, etc. It seems to us that before we go further with the single cylinder unit, the design could with advantage lay out the in-line engine and see whether it is possible to provide the necessary balance and breathing capacity. Overhead Camshaft Engine. This at present appears to us to be far the most attractive cylinder for immediate consideration, particularly as we are looking for an engine for the Bentley. The old Bentley Company showed that a reliable and silent camshaft drive could be made, though this has been criticised on the score of the amount of room it takes up. Possibly with modern materials and careful design it could be made more compact. On the other hand, it is difficult to believe that a worm or hypoid bevel drive could not be made noiseless. | ||