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).
Progress report on the testing of four-wheel brakes and front axle assemblies, discussing patent issues, performance, and future testing requirements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 73\2\ scan0334 | |
| Date | 1st April 1924 | |
| Rgl/W16. 4. 24 Sheet 2. As mentioned above, the agreed scheme is now working very well, and if it were not for the patent situation would be one that we could give to customers. Further, at present the agreed scheme has not jaggered. I am anxious to get the servo running at the higher speed to see what difference this makes. The field for experiment on our four wheel brakes is now very much smaller, and getting narrower every day. The steering with the pivots inclined at the same angle as the 40/50 seems to have got us out of our trouble, so that as soon as we have settled up the final details of the clearances to get the steering lock, the whole front axle unit, springs, and spring brackets, will be a satisfactory job, and has been largely tested, both on the road here, in France, and on the bump rig. The gear box unit and the servo is now largely tested, and every endeavour is being made to utilise the cars we have running, to reduce the points that require testing when Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} has the final cars handed to him. Expressing my own personal opinion, the parts we are now making will produce a satisfactory job for the customer. If we get any trouble with jaggers, we may have to reduce the effectiveness of the front wheel braking, but I think we should be very careful how we do this, as with such powerful brakes on greasy roads, it is very important to keep the braking as near equal as possible, to avoid skidding. We have had a lot of experience on very slippery roads with brakes of the present type, but it is probable now that the winter is past, that we may have to wait until next winter before we can obtain as good conditions for testing, and we shall have to bear this in mind in making comparisons. MADE AT CROXLEY Rg.{Mr Rowledge} | ||