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).
Defending the design of the Spectre Gearbox's synchromesh mechanism against criticism.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 94\1\ scan0162 | |
| Date | 10th August 1935 | |
| 4328 To B. from HDY.{William Hardy} HDY.{William Hardy}1/HP.10.8.35. 9 c. Sq. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} PH. SECRET. SpectreCodename for Phantom III Gearbox. With reference to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}6/MJ.29.7.35, and the remarks on page 5 concerning the criticism by CWH of the design of the box from the point of view of a consistent gear change, it appears to be thought that there is something new about the SpectreCodename for Phantom III box construction as regards this particular feature. We do not understand what has given this impression as actually there is nothing different from what we have had for years on our standard boxes. With regard to the idea from which the criticism arises, namely, that it is necessary for the fixed cones to be accurately placed if the synchromesh is to work consistently, this seems to have come from imperfect understanding of the working of the synchromesh mechanism as in fact, except for the provision of not less than a certain clearance in neutral (which is easy to verify through the opening in the top of the box), there is no need for accurate location as far as the synchromesh is concerned as the moving cones will always engage with the fixed cones, there being nothing else to stop them. If the above explanation is accepted it would appear that as two of the 3 boxes made are satisfactory the trouble with 3.S.1. is not likely to be due to design. HDY.{William Hardy} | ||