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).
Letter to Cam Gears Ltd discussing the efficiency, ratios and potential modifications of a steering gear.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 28\2\ Scan164 | |
| Date | 28th March 1933 | |
| X7094 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}3/KT. March 28th 1933. Messrs Cam Gears Ltd, Luton. For the attention of Mr.Pentony. Dear Mr.Pentony. We have completed efficiency curves on the steering you sent us and obtain results over a large range of loads of 58% forwards and 47% castoring. As our own worm and nut is 75 - 80% efficient forwards, we expect to find the Bishop steering rather heavy and wonder whether you can fit a 14:1 gear in the box instead of the present 11:1. As you pointed out in a letter some time ago this will provide a lesser helix angle and greater immunity to road shocks. A further point we observed is that the roller in the rocker shaft does not roll and seems to have seized. In any case we are of the opinion that we shall prefer the plain pin. If you will change the ratio for us, we will send you back the steering gear (and pendulum lever if you require it), so that it will be given the best chance in the car. The writer does not want to have to make any excuses for it. Yours sincerely, FOR ROLLS ROYCE LIMITED. | ||