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).
Specifications and recommendations for a Bethlehem torque-amplified steering system.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154\3\ scan0058 | |
| Date | 4th November 1927 | |
| GW/HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X3682 OY10.R.11427 November 4th, 1927. NO. Mr. F.H. Royce, Rolls Royce Ltd., London, England. BETHLEHEM TORQUE-AMPLIFIED STEERING (Copy for attention Mr. E.W. Hives) (Copy for attention Mr. A.W.H. Bailey) RE: STEERING Dear Mr. Royce: In continuation of memo OY12.R.102427, we have now received from the makers, the attached two prints showing an outline of the gear and of a possible attachment of the gear to a Phantom chassis (L.H. drive without magnets.) The makers have also sent us some additional notes: - (1) They recommend using at first an amplification of 8 to 1, reducing this later as required, by reducing the contact-arc of the brake bands. (2) The amplifier is always reversible in exactly the same degree as it amplifies. That is, with 8 to 1 amplification the road shocks felt at the wheel are always 1/8th of those occurring at the bottom of the column. (3) An overrunning clutch in the drive-shaft is suggested to give free steering with the engine stopped. (4) Half engine speed for drive shaft is recommended. (5) There is no indication, in a bench test equivalent to 375,000 miles of use, that the brake bands will require renewal, the pressures and speeds being moderate at all times. (6) Max. power consumption is about 1 HP, in severest parking conditions. (7) A completely reversible form of steering reduction is recommended, since the amplifier has sufficient irreversibility and considerable damping action. (Continued) | ||