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).
Gear change mechanisms, including a cycle change gear concept and a free wheel arrangement for the new 20 HP car.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\C\March1919\ Scan3 | |
| Date | 11th March 1919 | |
| To EH. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. c. to SRN. c. to PN.{Mr Northey} c. to HN.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders} c. to Mr. Claremont. ORIGINAL RE CHANGING GEAR. X 3342 The idea you describe of using a cycle change gear for synchronising the standard change gear would not, I fear, be found a success, because the time given for the little gear to synchronise the big one would be too short. However, if such a scheme would be of any use it can be done in a much simpler way, and has been under consideration for some time. I therefore cannot encourage you to expend money and time on the ideas that you give, which, although one agrees are correct in theoretical principle would quite fail in practical application. I have received a letter from Mr. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} A.{Mr Adams} Claremont urging us to consider adopting our old arrangement of free wheel, which I originally fitted to the two-cylinder cars when they were found to be so difficult in changing down to the second speed (which was a very big drop). This letter has caused us to consider that it may be worth while experimenting further in this direction if we find any difficulty in changing when using a light free plate clutch, and the standard form of change gear we are fitting to the new 20 HP. car, and the following scheme has come to mind. The side shaft of the gear box has its main wheel driven from the engine made into a free wheel in one direction, only, that is, the direction of overrun. Contd. | ||