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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).
Comparing the efficiency of a new experimental steering system against the standard version, highlighting its poor performance and manufacturing faults.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 67\4\  scan0003
Date  12th February 1926
  
COPY

V8430

To Sft{Mr Swift} from RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}
C. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}
C. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}

RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}4/BE. 12.2.26.

RE STEERINGS

We have examined a new type of Steering with the larger diameter .720 lead Worm which has been built in the Works and from an efficiency point of view it is a very poor job. Some time ago we issued particulars of loads and efforts required to pull such loads on Steering Worms and Nuts, and if these instructions are adhered to it would be safe to say that the efficiency of a complete Steering will be O.K. It would appear by the following results that Experimental recommendations have been disregarded.

The tests on this Steering was to first of all, measure the effort required to lift 317 lbs load on Pend: Lever with 18" Lever substituted for Steering Wheel, which came out at 30 lbs as compared with the Experimental Column 18-20 lbs.

We then measured the efficiency of Steering Worm & Nut, which came out as follows:-

Standard Steering
Effort required
Load on 20" Lever
1200 lbs 15.00 lbs
900 " 12.00 "
600 " 8.00 "
300 " 4.25 "

Average efficiency -45%

Experimental Steering
Effort required
Load on 20" Lever
1200 lbs 9.00 lbs
900 " 6.00 "
600 " 4.2 "
300 " 2.00 "

Average efficiency -83%

On finally examining the Nut and Worm it was found that one lead on Worm was taking load which of course accounts for the inefficiency of Worm and Nut. In addition the Nut, instead of being a very smooth finish on thread was rather badly chattered.

Steering has now been reassembled and returned to Steering Department. It would be a waste of time to fit such a Steering on a car as it would mean removing same again.

We have had complaints about out Steerings being too stiff. These Steerings give the efficiency stated so it will be seen we areonly just on the safety mark and having nothing to spare, therefore the figures for measuring the efficiency of Worm and Nut should be worked to.

RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}
  
  


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