Rolls-Royce Archives
         « Prev  Box Series  Next »        

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).
Analysis of the Lorraine Dietrich crankshaft's synchronous speeds, vibration, and torsional stiffness.

Identifier  WestWitteringFiles\Q\February1927-March1927\  69
Date  1st March 1927
  
ORIGINAL
To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/ACL.
c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}
c. to RG.{Mr Rowledge} H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints}
c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}
Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/ACL1/LG2. 3.27.
LORRAINE DIETRICH CRANKSHAFT X3588
AND SYNCHRONOUS SPEEDS.
X684
We have had the opportunity of examining the crankshaft of the Lorraine Dietrich and there appear to be several features worthy of note. The chief point of interest is perhaps the fact that it is an example of a four bearing crankshaft which appears to possess a high natural period of vibration or one in which the master period occurs at a high speed.
We understand that the Buick crankshaft which also has four bearings has its synchronised speed at 4800 rpm.
As far as we could estimate from road tests the synchronous speed appeared to be about 3750 r.p.m. This was reached by running the car on low gear.
The engine is now being fitted to a test bed so we shall shortly be in possession of more information regarding its synchronous speed and harmonics.
On the road a vibration at approx. half the higher vibratory speed was very evident and would no doubt be the one having the six cycles per revolution which occurs on the Goshawk at 1600 r.p.m. when the slipper drive is not employed.
We made a test of the torsional stiffness of the shaft and found this to be 75% stiffer than the standard Goshawk.
Torsional deflection curves together with drawings of the crankshaft and connecting rod are appended.
contd :-
  
  


Copyright Sustain 2025, All Rights Reserved.    whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble
An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙