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).
Spring lubrication methods and an outline of Fox's spring manufacturing process.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154a\2\ scan0347 | |
| Date | 25th June 1941 | |
| -cont'd- - 2 - Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GB.5/SW.25.6.41. (5) Can oil be taken to the spring via a flexible pipe instead of through the eyes? We shall have to do this on Myth, if we have lubricated springs, as we have Harris bushes in the spring eyes. We do not want to do it on the Senior Range, as it will reduce neatness and involve greater expense outside the spring. We should ask Messrs. Fox how much of the cost of the spring goes into drilling and bushing the lubricating holes in the main leaf. This should be compared with the costs on the Phantom lll. on which the spring is lubricated by a tube instead of through the eye. We propose to write to Fox's as indicated above and to ask them to put forward their proposals for the design of lubricated springs. The manufacturing procedure in use at Fox's will necessitate the complete re-grading of the leaves of all our springs. Fox's Method of Spring Manufacture. The method of manufacture is as follows :- (1) The leaves are cut to length. The eyes are rolled in the main plate. The ends of the remaining leaves are drawn or speared for preference. (2) The leaves are fed continuously through the hardening furnace on walking beams. Fox's consider this an improvement on placing the leaves stationary in individual furnaces as the effect of small inequalities in temperature is nullified. (3) The leaves pass from the furnace to the former. The former consists of two springs. The curvature of one of these is set by adjustable draw bolts, and it is this one which controls the leaf radius. The leaf is positioned between the two springs. The second spring is controlled by hydraulic cylinders -continued- | ||