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).
Scheme for a controllable shock damper system, including modifications to its oil pressure pump.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179\3\ img162 | |
| Date | 8th April 1932 | |
| DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/GHY. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) C to EG. WOH. PN.{Mr Northey} R2/45.4.32. Sent from WW. 8.4.32. X235 CONTROLLABLE SHOCK DAMPER in It will be understood that our scheme is one which we can set the dampers at any degree of damping, from minimum to maximum. Enclosed is a modification to the suggested oil pressure pump. It again divides the pumping capacity by 2, but by the addition of the valve it will work continuously while the throttle is closed at any speed we like to set the restrictions. If we do not use the valve it will be necessary for the driver to work his foot accelerator until the pressure becomes steady. It might lead to confusion, so I think the still smaller pump with the valve is the best we have so far schemed. It will also be remembered that we are controlling the relief valve setting (not the leak), and that all 4 dampers will always be alike and equal, because the oil pressure will act on all exactly alike. This oil pressure device is something like the screen wiper worked by engine suction. The adjustment of the oil pressure should be a light finger and thumb business. We have found a design which looks as though it would be no more complicated to make the oil pressure follow the speed of the car, and so relieve the driver of the necessity of altering the setting of the relief valve. It is an equally small box, with shaft driven from the servo shaft, consisting of small governor and pump. We will send you sketches in a few days. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||