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).
The development of new aluminium brake drums for Bentley cars to improve performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 85\1\ scan0029 | |
| Date | 4th March 1936 | |
| To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} x206 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}21/KW.4.3.36. Bentley Brakes. The brakes of the Bentley were working to their limit with the 3½ litre engine. On the 4¼ car they are over-loaded. This has been realised and intensive experimental work has been carried out to improve matters. The 14" cast-iron drums now fitted to 6-B-IV are an inefficient means of improving efficiency besides, by their greater mass, increasing the tendency to tramp. As will be seen from the attached report, Martindale, by considerable research, has evolved an aluminium drum with a steel liner which, for less weight than the existing 12" drum, has 150% increase in heat capacity. Cost has been carefully studied in these drums. From the use of aluminium we expect to get - (1) Less fading, lower lining temperature. (2) Eliminate tendency to jagger due to a reduced arc of embrace being used and lining temperature kept low. (3) Less tendency to squeak due to lining never being over-heated and drum being less resonant. (4) Less frequent adjustment due to reduction in lost pedal movement with increased drum rigidity. We recommend that Design and Experimental should make an effort to get this type of drum on 15,000 miles test as soon as possible. Att: Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale}22/KW.4.3.36. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||