Vkrn. Research Building for C.A.V.
Page 76
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
nNE of the most impressive buildings of its type in this country was opened on Monday by the President of the Board of Trade, Mr. F. L Erroll, for C.A.V., Ltd. The four-storey building which cost film. to erect,houses
a very wide range of activities. .
The work carried out in the new building falls under two main headings. Firstly there is pure research, and secondly the work in co-operation with engine and other manufacturers in testing specifications and designs for new equipment. To celebrate the occasion several impressive aspects of C.A.V. research were shown to the public.
By using a fabricated engine structure instead of the normal casting, and by using laminated plastics and metal panelling around the crankcase, amarked improvement in quietness was achieved on a four-eylinder diesel engine. A demonstration was given of the C.A.V. fabricated engine and an identical proprietary unit, and the effect was noticeable at all speed ranges. The company state that they hope to interest engine manufacturers in this idea.
Another subject on which intensive research is being carried out is on combustion. This has a direct bearing on the efficiency and operating cost of an engine and upon the amount of noise and smoke emitted. By using a special cylinder with transparent sides of fused silicone, and utilizing the Schlieren system of illumination and high-speed photography some noteworthy advances have already been achieved.
The engine-test section, where 20 sound-proofed bays are provided, occupies a large part of the ground floor. Much injection pump research and development work is done on an array of special test machines. Extensive use is made of electronic indicators and similar equipment, much of which is designed and built on the premises.
Wherever possible use is made of .eleetroniccomputer techniques. The mathematical calculations thus achieved have been put to such varied subjects as the hydraulics of fuel-injection systems. stress analysis, service statistics, heat transfer and electrical-machine design.