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 and trial of Ricardo type pistons.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 77\1\ scan0004 | |
| Date | 19th March 1917 | |
| R.R. 235 a (400 T) (S.C. 536. 15-2-16) G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 1546 COPY. To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} C to J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} 24817 " " EH. " " EFC. COPY. X.2974. R2/B.19.3.17. RE RICARDO TYPE PISTONS. I am quite willing to try a set of these Ricardo pistons. I expect, however, we shall have to design them specially for our engines, and I want you to set out a piston on these lines on your return to St.{Capt. P. R. Strong} Margaret's Bay. You will remember that I have always recommended the cutting away of the sides of the pistons, but for reasons of the lubrication working up Mr. Platford and Mr. Hives have been generally against this practice. Moreover, we have lately had a tendency to avoid drilling holes, which we thought rather were/likely to cause the piston to knock. I am not at all sure that the Ricardo piston is better, as we had the impression that the cross webs were likely to cause a good deal of piston distortion, and that a circular design and construction was more favourable to avoid distorted pistons. We know also that the Zephyr design as we now have it, carries off a considerable quantity of heat from the crown of the piston. However, I think it is worth while going over the matter again. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||