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).
Petrol tank design, comparing materials and construction methods to reduce weight for a new model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149\3\ scan0115 | |
| Date | 12th February 1940 | |
| SECRET. To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} c. to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/CTS.{C. Trot Salt - Carburation} c. to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/MHR.{M. H. Rigby} c. to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Hallam. c. to Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}10/JH.12.2.40. We have tried to collect all the available information concerning petrol tanks both for our tanks of the Senior range and for those of our competitors. Attached herewith is a data sheet of our findings. It would appear that if we take the weight per gallon for the tanks considering the sheet metal shell only, the standard B.V. tank in 22 thous. material is as good as anybodys. The weight per gallon of the final tank is not so good in our case, which indicates that we suffer through too many and too heavy fittings. Up to date we are told that whilst we can obtain Cookley K.{Mr Kilner} Plate as thin as .022" the thinnest lead coated plate (Terne Plate) for welding is .037". The Oldsmobile tank is welded and cannot be as thick as this due to its light weight. We must have something less than .037" plate if we use welding. We see no reason for not continuing to use our shape of tank, which is economical in the matter of volume for surface used. Likewise we see no reason for leaving our method of construction if we use stitch welded ends. We propose to produce a tank for Ripplet 2.R.2. having this construction and with the following changes in the fittings. (1) No baffles. (2) No stone guard. (3) No filling vents. (4) Longitudinal finger grooves. (5) Small anti-surge tower. (6) Filler pipe in top of tank. (7) Lightened filler. (8) Lightened sump and drain plug. Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||