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).
Notice outlining the features and advantages of a 'Sleeve-Shaft' gearbox and a 'Clutchless Progressive Automatic' system.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\5\ scan0149 | |
| Date | 27th April 1939 guessed | |
| C O P Y. N O T I C E ------- SLEEVE-SHAFT. ----------- The Gear Box "SLEEVE-SHAFT" is superior to all gear boxes and systems hitherto invented because: 1. The extreme simplicity of its design makes it the cheapest to manufacture and the easiest to handle. 2. It is operated without the use of shifters, synchronizers, metallic belts, magnets, contacts, collars or other complicated organs. A case of the normal type provided with respective set of helical gears, through one of which the Sleeve-shaft goes with its fastening balls and spiral springs is, in short, all that composes it. 3. The shifting of the gears is effected without using the clutch. 4. In comparison with synchro-helical gears which, as a rule, have three forward speeds and one rear speed, shifted by means of a lever, the sleeve shaft system permits of 6 forward speeds and one rear speed in the same space, with the advantage of permitting shifting without using the clutch and affording a much bigger elasticity to the engine. In comparison with the Wilson pre-selective changing gear box, which is handled by a "manette", the Sleeve-shaft permits the same handling system working as well, without the use of the clutch, still with the advantage of being free from the frequent breakdowns which characterises that gear box system, and also of being cheaper in cost and easier to manufacture. CLUTCHLESS PROGRESSIVE AUTOMATIC -------------------------------- Besides the advantages already mentioned in comparison with the existing gear box systems, the discovery of the Sleeve-shaft gear box permits of attaining an aim since long seeked by motoring scientists without result, for same is not only progressive, but also automatic. Indeed, with the aid of a centrifugal or any other revendicated principle, this objective is obtained, thus resolving the most important problem of automobilism. With this discovery driving a motor car is no more a difficult thing, for the gearing changes are automatically made without the least initiative of the driver, according to the profile and accident of the road, thus permitting an average speed at a minimum cost. The maximum elasticity and the highest speeds are obtained with less revolutions of the engine, which affords a much higher and more economical performance than with the gear boxes up to now invented. The sleeve-shaft is, therefore, the opposite of the complicated solutions of the Wilson, Voisin and Salmson Gear Boxes, being characterised by the maximum simplicity in manufacture and complete automatism. Its use can be extensive to many other mechanical purposes, whereat it means an enormous value to the progress of the mechanical science in general. | ||