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).
Comparing governor and positive throttle control systems to prevent explosions in the silencer.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 1\3\ B001_X 93-page91 | |
| Date | 15th November 1926 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AJL. c to Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c to RSy. F.{Mr Friese} c to Bay. FA. X93 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AJL1/T/15.11.26. X8140 X8230 X3436 EXPLOSIONS IN SILENCER. THROTTLE CONTROL. Tests we have carried out indicate that a positively hand controlled throttle is a definite disadvantage as compared with a good governor control. We find that the only sure way of eliminating silencer explosions is to definitely close the throttle. A really good governor control will close the throttle under all conditions and will open it at very little above the speed at which it is set (on the quadrant) to run the engine. On the other hand, with a positive throttle control, the throttle will never be closed if the car is driven at low speeds, and explosions in the silencer will occur at all, and any speeds. If our cars were changed over from governor to positive throttle control we feel positive that the complaints received concerning explosions in the silencer would be immediately multiplied and we should have to tell our customers that they must drive their cars with the throttle lever at the bottom of the quadrant. The objection to the governor control as at present fitted is that it does not give a sufficiently selective throttle control. This is due mainly to friction in the throttle spindle. We hope to overcome this by the use of stainless steel roller bearings. Tests we have carried out, on a temporary scheme which consisted of a ball bearing on one side of the throttle only, indicate a decided advantage, and give reason to expect still better results with two roller bearings. contd :- | ||