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).
Comparing the O'Neill air suspension system with the Westinghouse and Lancia type suspensions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 43\3\ Scan047 | |
| Date | 1st March 1927 | |
| With reference to the attached particulars of the O'Neill suspension. You will appreciate that our criticism is inevitably somewhat superficial as we have not the time to undertake a protracted analysis of the particulars submitted. However, as far as we can see, Specification 255, 729, relates exclusively to the linkage for attaching the air cylinder to the conventional leaf spring. Our objection to this arrangement is the multiplicity of working joints which it incorporates, all of which will necessitate lubrication arrangements, and are potential sources of rattles. In our opinion the Westinghouse method of attachment is superior in this respect, as it uses the cylinder itself as a guide for lateral control. With regard to the arrangement of the air chamber, we believe that there are definite virtues in compressed air suspension because it enables a variable rating to be obtained with simplicity. However, in order to make the best of such a type of suspension, we believe that it will have to be combined with helical springs and the car specially designed for this type of spring. We do not think that any first class designer would tolerate the additional weight incurred by fitting compressed air cylinders in conjunction with normal laminated springs, but rather utilise the Lancia type of suspension modified to act as an air container. This arrangement eliminates the trouble of lubrication and also gives a very light and rigid construction. Having never tested an air spring of this type, we cannot pass an opinion as to the improvement in riding comfort that it is likely to produce. We shall, however, shortly be conducting a test of this nature the results of which might be of interest to you. Our experience with variable rating helical springs does not lead us to suppose that the results achieved will be so revolutionary as to produce a large demand for a fitment of this nature to be applied to existing cars. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||