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).
Phantom clutch, comparing its performance and cost against the older cone clutch and addressing material issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 74\2\ scan0219 | |
| Date | 27th May 1927 | |
| (4194) To BJ. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} R3/M27.5.27. RE. PHANTOM CLUTCH. X.8300 X.4194 Regarding Springfield's remarks, and their wish to return to the old cone clutch, no doubt the new clutch is more costly than the Silver Ghost type, but I think it is universally agreed that this clutch and the 20 HP. are superior to the old cone clutch from every point of view except cost. We believe their trouble with jaggers will be found to be chiefly due to the asbestos material. I do not think anyone of our English staff would wish to revert to the old clutch, although it is agreed that it is extremely good in action from many points of view, and its behaviour led us to continue to make this type until the friction asbestos was so improved that the plate type was equal to the old one from all points of view, vastly superior from many points of view, being practically indestructible and requiring no attention. On reviewing the design naturally one can see many ways in which the cost could be reduced, and the subject is having attention. There is little doubt in all engineering for things to be continually swaying between greater perfection, most modern machinery being infinitely more complicated and costly than the early crude pattern of the same article. At the same time modern manufacturing methods are so much more efficient that they largely counteract the natural increase in cost. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||