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).
Development of governor-controlled shock dampers, patent considerations, and design interchangeability.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179b\1\ img137 | |
| Date | 2nd November 1932 | |
| HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} C: to SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} HDY.{William Hardy} PN.{Mr Northey} Handwritten notes: XJ2S. XJ SHOCK DAMPERS. PN.{Mr Northey} writes to say that the Renault people may have done some early work on somewhat the same lines that we are proceeding with the governor controlled damper. I think I pointed out in my last memo, that I believed we also had an early patent which might make it difficult to get a broad patent to cover the proposed arrangement. We ought however to be able to get a narrow patent. For instance, the single valve is novel, and seems necessary to enable the control of the shock damper to be carried out automatically with passable simplicity. It is more than likely that the Renault attempt was in connection with restrictions rather than with a spring loaded relief valve type of damper, which we think has not been suggested until our patent of about 1908. In connection with this governor control I fear we are not making the increase due to speed sufficiently vigorous. My own impression is that the minimum damping should not be more than a third of the maximum, that is, the difference between 30 MPH. and 90 MPH. should be 3 or 4 times as great in the extra damping provided by the hydraulic dampers. (There is always some damping independent of any dampers.) The second edition of the design of the pump and governor chamber has been put back with a view to making it interchangeable between 25HP. and P. 2. It will be remembered that when HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/RM.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} was here he particularly stated that Phantom was the urgent car for having a governor fitted, and was rather disappointed that the one we are making for Bensport would not go on without modifications. HDY.{William Hardy} therefore is at present making the dimensions and parts suitable for Bensport, 25HP., and P. 2. Incidentally we are reducing the dimensions, and cutting out a few parts to make it simpler. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||