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).
Experiments with new moulded clutch facings for the Phantom III.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 93\3\ scan0242 | |
| Date | 11th January 1937 | |
| + 312. To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Smth. c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Smth.12/AP.11.1.37. PHANTOM III. CLUTCH. We have been experimenting with VM.20. (moulded) facings on the Phantom III. clutch instead of the rubber base material we are now using. The advantage of this material is that it is very much less destructable under high temperature conditions than the present facings. We are already using it on 25/30. and it has the further merits of being lighter and cheaper, requires fewer fixing rivets, allows more accurate grinding to a uniform thickness, and permits the use of weaker thrust springs. The best arrangement we have developed is:- (1) Facings G.82602. (2) Centre plate G.84808, except that the set is increased to .040", in the same direction as at present. (3) Six rivets per segment only. (4) Thrust springs Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}31. which are 10% weaker than those at present used. We have run this plate for some time in two cars, one of which was 35-EX. during the recent tests in London. The impression we have formed is that whereas the new plate is not as good as a "rubber" one at its bets, it is better in the long run because it does not deteriorate to the same extent. We should like to get some experience in customers' hands and suggest that 12 cars are built up with this plate. In the meantime we should go easy on orders for No.6. facings until we know definitely whether or not we want to continue with them. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Smth. | ||