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).
Design requirements, manufacture, and servicing of dampers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 152\2\ scan0006 | |
| Date | 6th July 1937 | |
| -5- THE FOLLOWING DESIGN WORK IS REQUIRED. (1) Damper casing. As it is desired to use die castings, a design is required for a casing which will be similar for all chassis. (2) Designs are needed for the following damper anchorages.- (a) Wraith rear. (b) Bentley III. front. (c) Bentley III. rear. (d) Ph.III. rear. (3) A design is required for a damper cover incorporating a bellows control, in case it is desired to retain the governor system. Fig.VIII. shows what is required. THE MANUFACTURE OF THESE DAMPERS. We have received a quotation from Armstrong's Patents Co.Ltd., of £4. 10. 0. for a set of 4 Bentley type dampers without rear connecting links. This is for a quantity of 250, sets. We have mentioned to Mr.Gordon Armstrong the possibility of producing the dampers at Derby. although Mr.Armstrong would prefer to produce the dampers for us, he has no real objection to them being produced in our works. We know the damper is covered by patents but do not know if there are any strong claims. Though subsequent discussions may modify our views, our present suggestion is that the dampers are bought out complete for commencement. If the manufacture proved to be unsatisfactory we should suggest that the valve mechanism should be made here and that the rest of the damper should be bought out from Armstrong's. This should give the advantage of low price due to large production quantities and would give us a good opportunity for a thorough inspection when the valves are fitted and the damper loads set. We hope shortly to be able to release a rig which will make damper setting quicker and more accurate. With our present method of setting dampers, due to speed at which the lever is moved by hand, it is possible to get a 15% variation in load. The rig should also be a useful check for noise and oil leaks, particularly for dampers returned from customers. SERVICING ARMSTRONG DAMPERS. In order to get the maximum benefit from customers complaints, it is necessary for all faulty dampers to be returned to the works. Except for changing the loads, no work should be done on dampers at Depots. We know certain cases where unnecessary work is being done on Dampers at Depots. This would be avoided if Depots did not have damper experts. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} | ||