Letter discussing modifications to brake and axle designs, referencing the Goshawk and 40/50 models.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\K\November1923\ Scan93 | |
| Date | 6th November 1923 guessed | |
| (2) Our anxiety at the moment is to get drawings complete and we believe that when the parts are made to these modified designs, it will only be a matter of proportioning the movements correctly which should be capable of being carried out with the first set of tackle we are arranging to make by varying the lengths of the levers by means of temporary drillings. We shall be intensely busy with these drawings including those for the Goshawk(Aero Engine)(Codename for 20HP Car / Aero Engine after Kestrel(Aero Engine)) front axle, and for this reason we should rather like to see the 40/50 front axle here to enable us to modify the Goshawk(Aero Engine)(Codename for 20HP Car / Aero Engine after Kestrel(Aero Engine)) if we think proper. [Handwritten: This letter is already drawn down as 40/50.] The experience you have had is nothing more than we have anticipated, especially considering that you tested these brakes for more or less the whole braking effect of the car with weak springs which were not reinforced. You have proved by this drastic testing the necessity of easing the brakes when taking a bend, and you have shewn us that the orthodox arrangement of brake shoes and actuation gives very varying results, including grabbing if it is not accompanied by automatic relief. (wind-off) Our modifications are to meet this situation which requires more drastic treatment than we had anticipated. Regarding further experiments I would like you to take a Goshawk(Aero Engine)(Codename for 20HP Car / Aero Engine after Kestrel(Aero Engine)) foot brake and bed the shoes to the drum with the usual toggle shaft bush in position. Then remove this bush or replace by a bush having an elongated hole so that one brake shoe does not prevent the other from operating. Test this completely equalised brake to see if it is more consistent in behaviour. Further, if you have any of the | ||
From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).