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).
Visit to Borg & Beck at Leamington regarding clutch development and specifications for the Phantom III.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 129\1\ scan0182 | |
| Date | 16th June 1937 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/MRC.2/JH.16.6.37. re Clutches. Visit to Borg & Beck at Leamington June 11th 1937. Took 36-EX, which has just been fitted with a new cushion plate, to scheme Ex.27309, and 'Thermoid' (American) facings. There was no sign or suggestion of jagger on any gear, and the engagement was exceptionally smooth and soft, the drive commencing to take up at about half pedal travel, and taking up progressively, the clutch was free when disengaged. The engagement was silent. 36-EX has stiff axle shafts, and a gearbox giving higher ratios, both conducive to smooth clutch operation. Spent three hours with Messrs. Barker & Armitage, and the following points were discussed and agreed upon :- Phantom III. 100 driven plates to Ex.27309 to be made up as follows :- Hub & rivets securing hub and plate to be supplied by R.R. Borg & Beck to drill plate and rivet to hub, so that they can set it true and balance it. Plates to be ground on both sides. Agreed that the outside dia. be 13.600". The holes and segmental gashes in the first 100 plates will be drilled and milled, but if orders for quantities placed later, dies will be made. Facings, to be of Thermoid, order from America, those so far received have been .138 thick, but if possible the fresh supplies will be .125 thick in order to reduce the inertia of the driven unit. Rivets for facings. The question of countersunk headed verses flat headed rivets was discussed at considerable length, and it was considered that the standard countersunk rivet as used by Borg & Beck would provide the greatest wear allowance with the maximum strength of lining under the head, provided that the head is not | ||