Rolls-Royce Meteor
| Rolls-Royce Meteor | |
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer |
Rolls-Royce Limited Meadows Rover Morris Motors |
| Also called | Rover Meteor |
| Production | 1941–1964 |
| Combustion chamber | |
| Configuration | V-12 |
| Displacement | 27.022 litres (1648.96 ci) |
| Cylinder bore | 5.4 inches |
| Piston stroke | 6.0 inches |
| Compression ratio | 6:1–7:1 |
| Combustion | |
| Turbocharger | Removed |
| Fuel type | Petrol |
| Cooling system | Water |
| Output | |
| Power output | 550–650 bhp Mark IVA: 600 bhp @ 2400 rpm |
| Torque output | 1450 lb/ft |
The Rolls-Royce Meteor (also sometimes known as the Rover Meteor) was a British tank engine developed in the Second World War, and used in British tanks up to 1964.
It was developed from the Rolls-Royce Merlin aero-engine by W. A. Robotham and his chassis design and development division at Clan Foundry, Belper, as they were not involved in aero-engine work and his engineers were under-used. With the aid of engineers from Leyland, who were engaged in tank work, he considered RR's two V12s. The Kestrel, while having more power than the existing "Liberty" or Meadows engines, did not provide the desirable 20 bhp per ton required, so the Merlin III was chosen. Robotham was at pains to point out that Rolls-Royce could not manufacture the engines, so would not benefit commercially.
The Directorate of Tank Design (DTD), on 27 April 1941, supported production of the Meteor, eventually placing orders direct with Rolls-Royce to maintain development in connection with the Cromwell tank. A new tank specification, A27M, was produced for design of the Meteor-powered tank. The Meteor engine went on to become one of the most successful British tank engines, changing the way tanks were designed, leading to the Universal tank concept.
Development started with the use of recovered Merlin engine parts from crashed aircraft. While unsuitable for re-use in aircraft, the Rolls Royce chassis division had begun collecting and refurbishing them in the hopes of finding a use. Robotham was approached by Henry Spurrier of Leyland Mechanization and Aero, to ask about help with tank powerplants. The Mark 1 Meteor was assembled out of many of the recovered parts. The major change for tank use was reversing the direction of engine rotation. Automotive gearboxes ran the opposite way to an aircraft propeller and changing direction required modification of the camshaft lobes. The Merlin had its supercharger, reduction gear and other equipment removed from its crankshaft, greatly simplifying its construction. The dimensions were now similar to the Nuffield Liberty engine and it would fit into the Liberty Mark VI version in the Crusader tank.
...
Wikipedia