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).
Secret memorandum detailing potential engine and chassis improvements and design considerations.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 66a\2\ scan0104 | |
| Date | 10th March 1924 | |
| To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} RG.{Mr Rowledge} PN.{Mr Northey} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} X8070 SECRET. E.A.C.11. (1) Can we improve the engine generally with disc crankshaft which should be better for bearings (increased area and reduced centrifugal loads), and increase flywheel effect (retard vibrations), and better for crankshaft vibrations. (2) Have we skinned down the weight of reciprocating parts. Mr. Ricardo says increased HP. because of less friction with his lighter pistons, (making retard vibrations less vigorous). (3) Does not the change we are making in the shape of the cams for less high lift at the same rate of opening put up the engine speed sufficiently? Have we not increased the spring reliability by changing the spring design, and perhaps double springs, and can we lighten valve operating parts to also increased the engine speed? (4) Re. the retard vibrations we should keep below the period with the stiffer shaft, and decrease momentum about the box. Can any weight be removed from coupling or great wheels within the box? (5) After driving Goshawk one feels our 40/50 chassis is heavy. Any weight that can be removed, especially from the front wheels will do good in so many ways to me, and we hope on the premier chassis it would be worth a lot of money. (6) The chief improvement possible in the steering is in the longitudinal tube, and to keep the steering as slow (geared) as possible. This is the only way possible to keep the road shocks from reaching the steering gear and driver, except less reversible steering which HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} says is impossible. (7) You have yet to test the proper carburetter for power. It was thought that our induction pipe was good and practical. Hispano scheme may be good for power at a good speed, but could we pass it for poor petrol, cold weather, pick-up from slow speeds, and such conditions. (The acceleration on 1st, remarked by PN.{Mr Northey} we ought to easily do, but it is not a necessary feature comparatively). Since it was thought we had so many advantages in our neat induction pipe we should depart from this with caution, but we know that the type shewn in sketch is good, including ramming, but difficult to apply because of height. (8) SEE ORIGINAL FOR SKETCH. Suction noises can be dealt with by combined silencer as got out for Goshawk, but not used. Exhaust contd:- | ||