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).
Page 2 of a document describing the operation of a reverse clutch and free-wheel mechanism, referencing drawing H.S.588.L.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 128\2\ scan0017 | |
| Date | 30th January 1931 guessed | |
| - 2 - and on releasing the clutch pedal the reverse clutch first takes up andspeeds the gearbox to car speed, and the main clutch subsequently speeds up the engine. When driving as a free-wheel car it is possible at any time to engage the reverse clutch and use the engine as a brake. This can be done smoothly and quietly even if the engine has stopped. The accompanying blue print Drawing No. H.S.588.L. shows the unit as applied to an existing gear-box and from it the action of the clutches and control mechanism can be readily followed. The driving drum A.{Mr Adams} is mounted on the end of the gearbox mainshaft, the rear portion of which is modified to suit. This drum, by means of internal teeth, drives the roller cage B. which forms the driving member for both the Humfrey-Sandberg Clutches. The inner members C. & D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} are splined to the driven shaft E, the clutch outer members F.{Mr Friese} & G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} are floating, but pressed outwards into contact with the rollers by springs H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} The withdrawal mechanism for the reverse clutch G.D. is of the special ball and coned sleeve type developed for use with these clutches. The coned operating sleeve I. which can be moved laterally forces the balls J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} between the fixed abutment collar K.{Mr Kilner} and the sliding abutment collar L, moving the latter to the left, and with it the ball race M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} (acting as a thrust race) and the adjusting sleeve and collar N.O. The collar O.{Mr Oldham} bearing against the end plate of the reverse clutch floating outer member G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} moves it to the left against the action of the springs H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} thus freeing it from contact with the rollers, and rendering the reverse clutch inoperative. The operating mechanism for sliding | ||