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Lotus 49-63-72 question


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#1 gablet

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Posted 11 July 2012 - 08:27

Hi all,
was wondering what was the function of this valve used on Lotus F1s between 1968 and 1971 and hope some tech expert could help.

Lotus 49
http://imageshack.us...6/lotus495.jpg/
Lotus 63
http://imageshack.us...0869fr18a2.jpg/
Lotus 72
http://imageshack.us...tus72r1r21.jpg/

I first thought of a fast refuelling fitting but its the position (no cowling opening near) tells not. Collector pot vent valve??
Thanks in advance for any help!
Gab

Edited by gablet, 11 July 2012 - 08:27.


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#2 Kelpiecross

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Posted 11 July 2012 - 14:34

[quote name='gablet' date='Jul 11 2012, 18:27' post='5819296']
Hi all,
was wondering what was the function of this valve used on Lotus F1s between 1968 and 1971 and hope some tech expert could help.


I am no expert - but isn't that a Spondulo valve?

#3 desmo

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Posted 11 July 2012 - 14:54

A what?

#4 gablet

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Posted 11 July 2012 - 20:24

Yes, what is it?

#5 mariner

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Posted 11 July 2012 - 21:24

I don't know but I do know if you re-post in the Nostalgia forum you will get an anwer - probably in hours!

#6 gablet

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Posted 11 July 2012 - 21:57

At first I thought it but since it is something more "tech" than "nostalgic" I posted it here ;)
Now will try this way.

#7 Kelpiecross

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Posted 12 July 2012 - 03:26

Yes, what is it?


Sorry to cause a bit of confusion. Back when I worked in the engineering industry I am afraid "Spondulo valve" was the standard answer that was given when asked when any strange bit of mechanism of unknown function was encountered on a job.

Edited by Kelpiecross, 12 July 2012 - 03:27.


#8 gablet

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Posted 12 July 2012 - 11:00

:rotfl:

#9 carlt

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Posted 12 July 2012 - 21:33

Sorry to cause a bit of confusion. Back when I worked in the engineering industry I am afraid "Spondulo valve" was the standard answer that was given when asked when any strange bit of mechanism of unknown function was encountered on a job.


OH - we call them -
'two staged , multi adjustable , fufu valves'

#10 desmo

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Posted 12 July 2012 - 22:41

I swear we had either a thread or a thread digression just on the subject of such fanciful names for thingamajigs.

#11 7MGTEsup

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Posted 22 July 2012 - 19:36

Looks like a quick connect for draining fuel?

Edited by 7MGTEsup, 22 July 2012 - 19:37.


#12 gablet

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 17:09

Looks like a quick connect for draining fuel?


Maybe.
Or maybe for fast refuelling.

#13 Rasputin

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Posted 22 September 2012 - 03:13

Not so sure it's a valve either, the Lotus 72 image looks more like a pump to me, perhaps just a fuel-pump?

#14 Bloggsworth

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Posted 22 September 2012 - 19:31

Looks like a pressure relief valve related to the oil system - When I worked at Lotus, unknown attachments were called dubriwaddists... Well, at least, when they weren't ogglefloggle valves.

#15 Tony Matthews

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Posted 22 September 2012 - 21:25

It's a trinomial malachatreader. Fact.

#16 Wuzak

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Posted 23 September 2012 - 01:00

Looks like a quick disconnect coupler

Posted Image


Maybe for replenishing the oil tank?

#17 Greg Locock

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Posted 23 September 2012 - 22:32

Those are aeroquip couplings used in hydraulics. I can't imagine they are the lightest way to provide an oil fill port, unless they were injecting high pressure oil. Even then, you have to depressurise the circuit before you insert the coupling. And they do leak a bit.

#18 gablet

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Posted 25 September 2012 - 06:03

Thanks to you all,
I also believe it is a quick connect male coupling and I think it was part of the fuel system. It was near to the collector pot fittings so do not think it was used to add/drain oil.
On the Lotus 63 was fixed on the collector pot fuel pickup to the Lucas non return valve then to the fuel pumps and I believe also on the 72 was fixed there.

By the way, I noticed similar couplings were used on the 312P(B) to quickly add oil and water during pit stops while on the Brabhams BT44-44B to drain side fuel tanks.

Back to the 72: one strange fact is that they started using it during 1970/71 but it disappeared at the start of 1972. Not so useful device?