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).
Deficiencies in the 'Eagle' engine's reduction gear for a proposed trans-atlantic flight and the development of remedies.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\B\December1918\ Scan1 | |
| Date | 19th December 1918 | |
| To CJ. } from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to RV c. to EH. ORIGINAL PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. RE "EAGLE" ENGINES FOR TRANS-ATLANTIC FLIGHT. X3420 We are informed by Lieut. Col. Barrington that an official attempt to fly the Atlantic from the American side is contemplated within the next 2 1/2 months, using a Felixstowe Boat fitted with five "Eagle" engines. The cooperation of the firm is desired with a view to taking all precaution to ensure success. 4 From our own point of view we should naturally render every possible assistance. There are certain features in the "Eagle" Reduction Gear which are thought to be deficient. Our scheme is to clear them all away in one fell swoop. The points where trouble is likely to occur in the standard gear are as follows:- (a) Failure of the planet pinion roller bearing, due to overload. (b) Failure of the sunwheel carrier, due to propeller striking solid water, and probably also due to shock caused by backlash in transmission and rapid movements of throttle. (c) Chipping of the small planet pinion teeth. It is thought that the pieces broken off become jammed either outside or inside of the annular gear leading to failure of the reduction gear casing. We have made an altered design incorporating the following corresponding remedies. Contd. | ||