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).
The testing of shock absorbers on cars 1.LW and 19-LW, detailing issues and further experimental work.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 78\2\ scan0270 | |
| Date | 2nd March 1920 | |
| R R 235 A (100 T) (S.F. 846 6-8-19) G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 2460. PN.{Mr Northey} from EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} CIK X.3461 EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}4/F2.3.20. X.3922 [crossed out] X.3461 [handwritten] RE TESTS ON 1.LW AND 19-LW WITH SHOCK ABSORBERS. I am sorry we were not able to see you after the tests of the above cars. We were able, however, to obtain a considerable amount of information on the action of these cars on the road with and without shock absorbers, which has confirmed experiments we have made at the works, and at the same time given us considerable further information for us to carry on our experiments to a more conclusive settlement. We may say that we are not altogether pleased with the action of the shock absorbers. They were rather noisy in their action, a point which is now receiving the attention of Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} and which he considers can be cured or made less noticeable, and as soon as we are able to demonstrate an effective cure, we should like to apply such to these cars. There was insufficient clearance for the full movement of the shock absorbers, owing to the connecting rod catching the rear wing bracket. This point, however, Mr. Birkett has arranged to have attended to and cured by Messrs. Barkers'. Mr. Murney of Messrs. Barker's pointed out the difficulty of fixing the wings and luggage carrier satisfactorily with the present design of shock absorber, which Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} appreciated, and promised to give this matter his attention. After this is done, we should be glad to have your opinion on the running of these cars for springing, swaying, holding the road, and the steering at high speeds, etc. and what advantages or disadvantages you can appreciate in the fixing of the shock absorbers. We have refrained from making any alterations to these cars other than fixing the shock absorbers, and except the slight noise above referred to, we do not think the cars are any worse than they were, although the improvement is rather doubtful. We would prefer, however, to carry on experimental work in this respect at our works, as we know it is not your wish to fix any unstandardised features or to carry out any experimental work on your trials cars. As soon as we are satisfied that some definite improvement can be achieved, without causing faulty features, we will write you immediately. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||