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).
Chronic noise of the 2nd gear and evaluating the implementation of synchromesh or helical gears as a solution.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179b\1\ img061 | |
| Date | 13th September 1932 | |
| HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} ORIGINAL R2/M.259.32. Sent off 13.9.32. x 7310 x 14310 C to SC WOR{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} PY Par E HDY.{William Hardy} GEARBOX - SYNCHROMESH & HELICAL SECOND. While at Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence we were struck with the noise of the 2nd. gear, and concluded that we had got a bad one, but it is now understood to be chronic. It was previously suggested that we needed a synchromesh second, which I said we could not do at the moment, and it would be very doubtful if it would work on so low a gear. Now it has appeared to many of us that the easy change on this gear is not so urgently needed. I think that helical gears only is quite a good and possible idea, and we should try to embody it in all our future work - i.e. more silent second without synchromesh, but the jaw clutch change will render changing to this gear less liable to damage the gear teeth. I will ask HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} when he is here tomorrow how I came to miss hearing that this was being made. Also I am not sure if Derby are waiting for anything from WW. It was pointed out by HDY.{William Hardy} that as carried out by Derby the second speed pinion revolves at nearly double engine speed all the time the car is on the top gear, which does not seem passable as there are also two other pairs of gears meshing at high speed, churning and heating the gearbox oil. It would seem better to put the jaw clutch on the 3rd. motion shaft. Anyway it will need some extensive changes in the box dimensions. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||