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).
Design criticisms and proposing cost reductions for the Wraith radiator.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 105\1\ scan0275 | |
| Date | 15th February 1937 | |
| X 540 SECRET. E from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Std c to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Std15/M.15.2.37. Reduction of cost of Wraith Radiator. Referring to E.3/HP.22.2.37, we should like to deal with your criticisms in the order of your memo. (1) We note that our suggestions to use a channel section corresponding to the base of our present yoke and to mount the matrix off its sideplates are condemned on the grounds of defects which have shown up on a similar but not identical scheme on the Cadillac car. We do not consider the said defects any sound objection to the scheme - the crack on the Cadillac yoke was at a point where it had been welded - it appears to us to be merely a question of making the channel section of sufficient size and thickness and in one piece. As regards the tearing away of the solder where the thin plate fixing is sweated to the matrix itself, we would point out (a) That the thin plate fixing is not sweated to the matrix at all, but merely spot welded to the top and bottom tanks. (b) That we had no intention of sweating our support brackets to the matrix side plates - steel side plates with brackets rivetted or spot welded to them were proposed - See Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Std6/JH.19.1.37. In passing we would point out that it was We who drew the Design Dept's attention to the Cadillac construction, while being aware of the defects which were visible therein. (2) Your objections to mounting the lamps off the wing stays are based on the 20 HP. Rolls Royce Chassis. We suggest that the flapping of the lamps on that car was in main due to the flexibility of the frame. We do not think that any such shake would be obtained with the Wraith frame, independent front suspension and mounting of the wings off a radiator sub yoke. We think, however, that it would be preferable to mount the lamps off the radiator shell, and show our proposal for doing this on Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 327 herewith. (3) You require our proposal for fitting a camel valve so that it is self draining - we attach it herewith - See Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 327 attached. | ||