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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).
Test results of different manufacturing schemes for fabric couplings to improve their lifespan.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 15\4\  Scan050
Date  4th July 1929
  
To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson}
C. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}
C. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}
C. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Gy.

47305

Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn{Mr Robinson}2/J.4.7.29

Fabric Couplings. X7305

In view of the fact that the fabric coupling on the S.S. will not be as accessible or visible as that on the present Phantom, we have been carrying out some test to determine whether we are getting the best possible life out of our couplings.

Originally when the Phantom fabric coupling was introduced we carried out a number of tests on a rig and found that the unit had a satisfactory life if the plates were rivetted on as shewn in sketch (2) attached.

Experimentally we had no difficulty in consistently producing couplings made in this manner, but in production the rivets tended to buckle in the centre, also there was some difficulty in getting the correct tension on the fabric.

Scheme (2) was therefore used in the works and has given reasonable service. Recent tests on our rig however, have demonstrated that with Scheme (2) the life of the coupling is consistently less than half that with Scheme (1) if the latter can be properly carried out. We are asking them to try Scheme (3) on production as it gives the same life as Scheme (2) and would appear to be somewhat easier to produce.

A further test we carried out was to try spigoting the bolts in the spiders, as these move about in the present scheme as soon as any running has taken place and hastens the disintegration

contd.
  
  


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