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).
The testing of hydraulic shock absorbers which failed due to distorted aluminium back plates.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\N\2October1925-December1925\ Scan182 | |
| Date | 25th November 1925 | |
| R.R. 493A (50 H) (D.D. 31, 12-6-25) J.H.D. EXPERIMENTAL REPORT. ORIGINAL Expl. No. REF. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/LG251125 To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to CJ. BJ. c. to RG.{Mr Rowledge} H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} R-R HYDRAULIC SHOCK ABSORBERS. X.8520 X235 The original RR. hydraulic shock dampers have been run for 11 hrs. on the bump testing rig. Both shock absorbers were cooled during the test by means of a trickle of water on the outside casing. After 2 1/2 hrs. the O.S. shock absorber commenced to lose efficiency and rapidly became almost ineffective. After 5 hrs. the N.S. shock absorber lost about 50% of its efficiency. A very slight oil leak was observed between the outside casing and the N.S. damper. This was the only leak which occurred during the test. After 6 hrs. both shock absorbers were removed and examined. It was found that the aluminium back plate had distorted somewhat in each case allowing oil to leak passed the rotor. After re-bedding the back plate, the dampers were re-erected and the test continued. After 2 hrs. of the second test the O.S. shock absorber again lost efficiency. After 5 hrs. the N.S. shock absorber also showed signs of lost efficiency. Both were removed and on examination the back plate was found to have again distorted slightly. We have not made steel back plates for these shocks absorbers to overcome the trouble experienced owing to the fact that we understand an improved type has already been designed. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/W.A.Robotham. | ||