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).
Letter discussing the design and potential of Mr. C.A. Brock's frictionless road springs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154\1\ scan0025 | |
| Date | 19th November 1928 | |
| X3873 Prints Put away ROLLS-ROYCE OF AMERICA, INC. SPRINGFIELD, MASS. OY6.R.11.19.28 November 19th, 1928. Mr. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} W. Hives, Mr. Robotham, Rolls Royce Ltd., Derby, England. c - Mr. R.W.H. Bailey RE ROAD SPRINGS - SECTION 7020/30 Frictionless Road S-prings of Mr. C.A. Brock Dear Sirs: I attach a letter and enclosures from Mr. Brock. This gentleman came in to see us early in October and cited some results with his springs on the rear only of a Lincoln car. He had not tried them in front on the idea that a certain amount of dry friction was necessary to steady the front of a car (which I believe to be quite erroneous.) He has worked on the idea that a truly frictionless spring plus full double acting hydraulic damping (even of a degree more "violent" than anything hitherto used) will give the ideal riding quality. This agrees with (I think) Lan - chester's early work, and with Lancia Lambda, and also I believe with all your own work as regards riding quality at least in the lower speed range. Note that by tapering the leaves in plan view he keeps the stress more or less constant throughout the length of the spring, and by staggering the leaves he is able to keep all the leaves parallel, with ball joint connections at the ends. It appears that the spring would be very rigid torsionally which might be a disadvantage and have to be overcome by slack or spherical action in the shackles. I think you will be interested in this idea, and if you want to try say some front springs or conventional sem-elliptic rear springs of this type, have no doubt that we can have some made for you. -continued- | ||