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).
Trial and negative assessment of a return spring in the steering column.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 67\4\ scan0397 | |
| Date | 11th November 1927 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} X.8430 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}6/LG7.11.27. RETURN SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. +7-830 We have tried out the return spring in the steering column. This gave 5 lbs. return loading on full lock either side. The difficulty with this type of spring is that it does not give any self centering when the steering wheel is turned a small amount from the central position. This is the condition where we require the most selective steering for high speed work and where stability in the central position is most desirable. With our present pivot lean of 2½° backwards we obtain adequate self centering on large locks. The return spring makes the steering slightly heavy on full lock. At the moment therefore we do not think this will be a very desirable feature. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/W. A.{Mr Adams} Robotham. | ||