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).
Steering defect on the Goshawk 11 car caused by gyroscopic torque.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\4\ Scan132 | |
| Date | 5th April 1922 | |
| EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} from Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} X4263 Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}4/M5.4.22. GOSHAWK 11. STEERING. E.4263. X.4219. With reference to Mr. Hives remarks re. the steering on his car, that the wheels appear to be deflected sideways when attacking a bump, we have recently made some calculations on the gyroscopic torque in passing over such a bump and we find that there is a considerable tendency for the wheels to deflect from side to side due to the gyroscopic action. We suggest that the reason that this effect is felt on the Goshawk more than the 40/50 is because the wheels are approximately the same diameter and only slightly less in weight, but the weight of the car carried on the pivots etc. is little more than half that on the 40/50, and in consequence there is not the friction force resisting the gyroscopic couple. In addition to this the friction of the steering column on Goshawk 11. is probably less than on the 40/50. The only thing that is not explained by this theory is why this steering effect was not noticed on the first Goshawk with disc wheels. Perhaps you can supply us with some information on this point? The remedy would appear to be to increase the friction. throughout the steering system by artificial means. Daa | ||