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).
Design decisions on the water-heated throttle, steering, and suspension damping.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 26\5\ Scan172 | |
| Date | 29th June 1928 guessed | |
| contd :- -3- WATER HEATED THROTTLE. We have finally disposed of any intention to revert to water heating, having proved that it is unsatisfactory in any shape or form. Our views are, the smallest and hottest spot possible at the point where the mixture changes direction most, after this the coolest possible xx pipe. STEERING. As you will see, the 10° pendulum is now standard. It gives a good steering for parking. We want to get rid of some of the longitudinal flexibility in the side steering tube, if we can - wobbles hold us up. We find if we run with wheels .5° further from the pivot i.e. 1.75° from centrepoint, we get better immunity from wobbles. I am very glad to note that you are really getting good riding with cadmium plated road springs and shock absorbers with leaking valves. The fundamental differences between your conditions and our conditions seem to be that over 50% of our people appear to go to the Riviera every year and on this one trip they hold 70 m.p.h. on Continental road surfaces all day. To cope with this we have to over-damp for old ladies and average English conditions. I personally feel that we shall never suit every-body until we have a fixed minimum amount of damping and a very accessible and simple adjustment which will give us an increase in this damping up to a certain fixed maximum. This maximum will have to be arranged so that under no circumstances can the riding of the car be absolutely spoilt. contd :- | ||