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Aviation History
1954
1954 - 1793.PDF
804 FLIGHT, 18 June 1954 THE INDUSTRY A Remarkable Gearing System TAST week we made brief reference to the Sira gear system, ••—'world rights of which have been secured by S. E. Opperman, Ltd., Boreham Wood, Herts. The gear has been commercially developed since the war by the Sira organization, of Genoa, from experimental work which Sr. Alessardro Roano, of Naples, had been carrying out for some 30 years. Its principle can best be summed up by a description given on an Italian official test certificate, which was probably based, in turn, on the patent specification: "The device," it says, "comprises two parallel shafts on which are mounted two wheels with double-helical teeth of a special trapezoidal shape, the helix angle, and therefore the circular pitch, of the teeth on the pinion being different from those of the teeth on the larger wheel, so as to allow, as a result, a transmission ratio different from, and greater than, the corresponding ratio between the diameters of the pitch circles of the same two wheels." Some startling claims are made for the Sira gear. For example, it is stated that, for a given power transmission, it is possible to provide a gearbox of only about half the size of the conventional type of box. It is also claimed that "The great efficiency of Sira gears makes it possible to use motors having only half of the power of the motor which would have to be used if transmission and reduction was to take place through ordinary gear boxes." (Right) An artist's impression of the un orthodox appearance of Sira gears; below are shown, in section, the tooth-forms. WHEEL The gears can be designed for either reversible or non reversible applications. In the case of the latter, it is stated, the efficiency is nearly double that of worm gearing. Other advantages claimed include those arising from the fact that several teeth are always in mesh at the same time; low friction-losses, with the associated benefits of cool running and silence; and great strength, owing to the extreme root-thickness of the teeth. S. E. Opperman, Ltd., have only just acquired the rights, so it is early for anything to be said about the fields in which the gears are likely to be applied. In aeronautical engineering, however, C. OF A.—"A" standing for apprenticeship: Mr. George Edwards, managing director of Vickers-Armstrongs' aircraft division, presents a certificate to Kenneth Burgess, best apprentice of the year at the Wey- bridge works. Also present is Mr. £. G. Duckett, apprentices supervisor. there would seem to be useful applications for engine reduction gearing and (.particularly in view of the compactness of the system) accessory drives. It is certain that such possibilities will not be overlooked, if only because Oppermans' managing director is Mr. T. C. L. Westbrook, C.B.E., F.R.Ae.S., M.I.P.E., who will be remembered by the aircraft industry for his long association with Vickers-Armstrongs and his work in various Government senior posts concerned with aircraft production during the war. IN BRIEF A director of Wickman, Ltd., of Coventry, for the past 14 years, Mr. G. R. Marsh has been appointed managing director. * * * Mr. R. G. Hull, manager of the Northern Aluminium Com pany's Manchester sales office, retired on June 1st after 27 years' service. He is succeeded by Mr. D. A. Corbett-Thompson, from the London sales office. * * * The Esso Petroleum Company's annual review—a handsomely illustrated brochure issued to employees concurrendy widi the recent annual general meeting—shows, inter alia, that in 1953 die Fawley refinery produced 1.500 million gallons of fuel, at a daily rate of 4,100,000 gallons. Since the plant came into produc tion in 1951 it is estimated to have saved die country 250 million dollars in foreign exchange. * * * An M.o.S. contract for the overhaul of Pratt and Whitney R-1830 engines in R.A.F. service has been awarded to Field Aircraft Services, Ltd. The work, over a three-year period, will be carried out by the company's engine division at Croydon Air port. Fields have considerable experience of such work: last year they were given a $2m contract—believed to be the largest of its kind ever placed in Europe—by the U.S.A.F. for over hauling the P. and W. power units of C-47 Dakotas. Mr. E. B. Moss is technical director of Smiths Aircraft Instruments, Ltd., and Waymouth Gauges and Instruments, Ltd., and a director of K.L.G. Sparking Plugs, Ltd. His directorships were not quite accurately given in a list of R.Ae.S. Fellowships recendy issued by the Society and quoted in our issue of May 28ui. * * * Mr. S. Rymell has been appointed deputy inspector to Folland Aircraft, Ltd. For many years he was deputy chief inspector at Westland Aircraft, and prior to mat was responsible for inspection in Westland's final erecting shop, where he was closely concerned with the pro duction of the Lysander, Whirlwind and odier aircraft designed by the present managing director and chief engineer of Folland Aircraft, Mr. W. E. W. Petter. Folland's chief inspector is Mr. E. H. S. Folland. KELVIN HUGHES engineers demonstrate some of the company's products to officers from the 12th Specialist Navigation Course at R.A.F. Station Manby, who recently toured the Barkingside works. Leading them was S/L. R. H. Fry, D.F.C., chief navigation officer.
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