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).
Crude method for comparing car riding qualities by measuring water spillage to test the 40/50 HP suspension.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 67a\1\ scan0150 | |
| Date | 20th April 1926 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to BJ. RG.{Mr Rowledge} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to BY? Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Na.{Mr Nadin} X8410 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/LG20.4.26. RR. 40/50 HP. SUSPENSION. X8410 X235 X5410 We have now evolved a somewhat crude method of comparing the riding qualities of cars in the back seats. The apparatus used consists of a number of vessels partially filled with water carried in a tray. The amount of water lost from each vessel over a given route at the critical speed complained of is accurately measured. We find that this apparatus gives results wich agree with our own physical impressions when we are making tests in quick succession. In addition it provides a record for comparing the riding of different cars under different conditions on different days. In order to simplify the suspension problem, we are temporarily eliminating the factor of upholstery which varies so widely on different cars, and conducting our tests both personal and instrumental from the back seat boards. We are not satisfied with this apparatus, but are confident that we are obtaining useful results while we are constructing something more scientific, giving better qualitative results. In order to get a figure of merit for each car condition, we have had to repeat our previous tests. We have so far established the following results :- (a) For the conditions complained of, the optimum suspension results with the present 40/50 HP. springs are obtained with the minimum friction in the system, whether in the spring or applied externally by a shock damper. We have fitted up a contd :- | ||