Useful Work by I.A.E. Research Department
Page 31
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LAST Weducsday there were many visitors to the Research Department of the Institution of ,Automobile Engineers, . Great West Road, Brentford, to inspect the work in progress, tea being sereed in the Firestone Athletic Club.
As is well known to many of our readers, the work of the Automobile Research .COmmittee is divided into two sections: information service and research. The former consists mainly in the preparation and circulation of abstracts of current technical literature likely to prove of interest to affiliated concerns, and the original articles can be sent out on loan as required. Inquiries for technical information are also dealt with by the library staff.
The general research programme is decided by the Research Sub-committee of the A.R.C., which, before the war, was expanded to include representatives of Government Departments. Naturally, the problems under investigation are those chosen as being of immediate importance,. although many are also of permanent value.
Amongst the problems under present survey are: the frothing tendency—of lubricants; the testing of bearings. using aerated oil; piston-ring scuffing: the durability and wear of bearings and of gears; and the operation on producer gas of a converted petrol engine. The latter work concerns mainly the power loss and methods by which it can be restored to the neighbourhood of that obtained with petrol. Incidentally, the producer is of the Government Emergency type.
In the cold room, which can provide very low temperatures, important research work is being conducted Rn trailer fire pumps.