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).
Potential use of a Weiss Universal Joint in the 40/50 model's propeller shaft.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 76\4\ scan0073 | |
| Date | 29th December 1925 | |
| /3853 AJS1/M29.12.25. TO R.{Sir Henry Royce} FROM AJS. C. to Co. Dr. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} re. WEISS UNIVERSAL JOINT. We give hereunder a copy of the last five paragraphs of aletter we have just received from OY. concerning the above joint. It does seem possible that should we find this universal joint to be of a durable type it might be useful to us for incorporation in the 40/50. propeller shaft as an intermediate step before abandoning the torque tube altogether, owing to it probably quietning the drive and saving the fabric coupling. "I want to point out again that the Weiss Co. is "not keen on supplying joints for the 20HP. but is "exceedingly anxious to supply us a joint to replace "the main universal joint of the 40/50. The reason "is that the joint transmits uniform motion through an "angle. "Therefore it is wasted on a Hotchkiss drive car "where the joints remain roughly parallel (I am giving "you their argument) but is vital to the torque tube "drive car because it obviates the "roughness" due to "torque irregularities of the single joint which occur "when the transmission line is out of the straight. "Therefore if you think well of the joint we "should be obliged if you would notify us as soon as "you can, so that we may get a large joint put in hand "for the 40/50. "I cannot convey to you how entirely "sold" we all "are on the desirability of the torque tube drive as "we now have it, for our occasionally very severe driving and riding conditions. "The very fact that it allows the rear springs to "be designed for riding comfort only is, we think, a "sufficient argument for the torque tube, and theoretically, with the Weiss joint it would be as perfect "as the "parallel control" axle." AJS. | ||