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).
Investigations into Dunlop wheel failures and potential remedies.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 159\1\ scan0117 | |
| Date | 13th May 1924 | |
| X3725 Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY14/H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} 13. 5. 24. DUNLOP WHEELS. Referring to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}2/LG. 12. 5. 24. I have gone very carefully into the question of the fixed flange breaking away on the straight side type of wheel on cars that have been running in France. Our investigations go to show that the annealing operations used during the production of the flange have tended to soften the material and weakened it against stresses due to certain internal changes taking place during the process. We have pointed out to Messrs Dunlop the remedy for this defect and impressed upon them the need for them to at once modify their methods in the production of the rim, and it is quite probable in my opinion that the further trouble you speak of, namely, the loss of loose flanges when a puncture takes place, has a similar first cause. I am sending your memo on in its entirety and at the same time am impressing upon the Dunlop Company the need for them to give both the issues raised the fullest possible consideration and that nothing must be left undone which will improve the product. In regard to the question of the wheels carrying the Balbon tyres on the 20 HP. chassis, which appeared to show the spokes bowed, I suggested to Colonel Matthew that the real cause of the trouble was that the bulging of the rim was not in the correct proportion. I attach copy of a memo herewith, which I have received from him, confirming that this was actually the case, and that they consider it is a sufficient reason for the trouble, and further, that the flange and rim had not moved relatively to one another. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | ||