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 from Adamant Engineering Company regarding tests conducted on steering gears.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 28\2\ Scan045 | |
| Date | 30th August 1932 | |
| Telegrams: "ADAMANT. Phone. Luton." CONTRACTORS TO H.M. ADMIRALTY, WAR OFFICE & AIR MINISTRY. Telephone: LUTON 1818 (2 Lines). ADAMANT ENGINEERING COMPANY, LIMITED (Incorporating J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} C. THREADGOLD & SONS, Established 1878). Engineers and Founders. SPECIALISTS in the DESIGN and MANUFACTURE of HIGH PRECISION TOOLS, JIGS, FIXTURES, etc. SPECIAL MACHINES, SPECIAL MACHINE TOOLS and ACCURATE PRODUCTION WORK. SOLE MANUFACTURERS and SALES AGENTS for the MARLES and MARLES-WELLER STEERING GEARS. Directors: S. CARLTON SMITH, A.M.I.MECH.E., M.I.P.E. ENG. LT.-COMMANDER F.{Mr Friese} G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} MATRAVERS, R.N., M.A. (CANTAB.), A.M.I.MECH.E., A.M.I.E.E., M.I.A.E., M.I.P.E. O.{Mr Oldham} CARLTON SMITH, M.A.(CANTAB.), F.I.S.A., M.I.P.E., Secretary. ALFRED SLATTER, M.I.E.E. J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} W. HAZEL, F.I.S.A. Your Ref. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}7/KT Our Ref. SCS/AGS/CB. Head Offices, Works and Design Dept.: DALLOW ROAD, LUTON. 30th. August, 1932. Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., DERBY. Dear Sirs, With reference to your letter of the 18th instant, we have during the past week carried out a long series of tests which we trust are on the lines which will enable you to make a comparison. At the same time, as pointed out in our previous correspondence, we cannot agree that any tests of this nature are as practical or as conclusive as tests carried out on the road, for the simple reason that road re-actions are so diverse, and of such varying magnitude and periodicity. We are, however, anxious to give you the fullest information, and to give you any particulars that you may require, and we have on that account conducted the tests, the result of which we are enclosing with this letter. Referring to the graph, the top curve, which is the forward steering efficiency of a standard gear of standard steering ratio, needs no explanation. Neither do we think the second curve, which is the castoring efficiency, needs explanation. This is obtained by hanging a weight on the end of the drop arm until it just keeps the gear in motion against a weight hung perpendicularly from the rim of the steering wheel. The relative distances at which the weights are suspended are of course taken into consideration to arrive at the two torques, as also is the gear ratio. Incidentally we might mention that we have a - 1 - | ||