Manufacturer | Rolls-Royce Limited |
---|---|
Configuration | Six-cylinder, supercharged diesel |
Displacement | 12.17 litres (740 cu in) |
Cylinder bore | 5 1/8 inch (130 mm) |
Piston stroke | 6 inch (152 mm) |
Fuel type | Diesel |
Oil system | dry sump |
Cooling system | Water-cooled |
Power output | 190 brake horsepower (140 kW) at 1,800 rpm |
Torque output | 600 lb.ft at 1,300 rpm |
The Rolls-Royce C6SFL and its variants were a series of diesel engines used in small railway locomotives, construction vehicles and similar applications. They were manufactured by Rolls-Royce, initially at Derby and later at Shrewsbury, through the 1950s to 1970s.
The engine family was officially termed the C range, although it was best known for the most common C6SFL six-cylinder variant. Most had an output of around 200 bhp, with 233 bhp for the final models. Their construction was a conventional water-cooled vertical inline 6 four-stroke diesel engine of 12.17 litres (743 cu in). Most were supercharged by a Roots blower, but there were also variants with a turbocharger or normally aspirated.[1]
Contents[hide] |
Data from Version supplied for the Vickers-Armstrong crawler tractor [1]
The engine was constructed around a monobloc cylinder and crankcase casting. Unusually, this was available in either cast iron or aluminium alloy. The cylinders were replaceable wet liners, with pumped water cooling. Valves were single OHV exhaust and inlet valves. Seven bearings with cross-bolted caps supported the nitrided crankshaft. The fuel injection system was direct, into a toroidal combustion chamber within the aluminium pistons. Supercharging was by a Roots blower driven at twice crankshaft speed, for a boost pressure of 8 psi.[1]
An unusual feature was the ability to build the engines with the flywheel and output drive arranged at either end. The supercharger, fuel injection pump, and other auxiliaries also changed sides. Although the crankshaft always rotated the same way within the block, this was the equivalent of offering left and right-handed rotation engines (the C6SFR variant).[1]
For a diesel at its introduction date of 1951, the engine operated at relatively high speed, up to 1,800 rpm. This was assisted by a viscous torsion damper at the opposite end to the flywheel.[1] High rotational speed made the engine an attractive choice in the developing market for small diesel-hydraulic locomotives.
In 1957, Rolls-Royce acquired the Sentinel company of Shrewsbury, a builder of steam wagons and small steam locomotives.[2] Production of the C6 was relocated from Derby. Although Rolls-Royce had only intended to build prime movers, i.e. engines here, by the end of 1957 they had decided to continue with Sentinel's previously successful market for small shunting locomotives. This was initially the LB class, 0-4-0 with a typically Sentinel final chain drive, of 1959-1971.[2]
In the 1980s, the Shrewsbury diesel engine plant was acquired by Perkins.
C6SFL (supercharged by Roots blower), C6TFL (turbocharged), C6NFL (naturally aspirated), C6NFR (reverse rotation)
The C8SFL was a lengthened 8-cylinder variant, giving approximately 300 bhp.
A C6SFLM (marinised) was also produced.
This range of engines was used in a range of small shunting locomotives, sometimes in pairs for powers up to 600 bhp..