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).
New experimental design for a cross-steering tube ball joint.
| Identifier | Morton\M11\ img065 | |
| Date | 14th July 1917 | |
| To Mr. from OY. Copy to Mr. EHI. " " EFC. " " EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} ORIGINAL! 3 14th July, 1917. OY1/14W. X3126 RE CROSS-STEERING TUBE BALL JOINT. I send herewith LeC.842 shewing a design for a new type of ball joint which should be put through experimentally without delay, as it offers possibilities of immediate adoption, since it implies little alteration to the existing parts. A steering lever similar to that used for the new type of 1 in 6 taper ball (LeC.537) is used, but the length of boss and corresponding length of 1 in 6 taper shank is increased, and the lever is given a twist through 5°, to bring the stem of the ball vertical, in the central position of the steering. I have made no more allowance on the brasses and in the hole in the socket than is strictly necessary for tilting of the ball, so that all possible contact area in the brasses, and strength in the socket, is retained. We have retained the set-screw adjustment as at present used, as this is such a convenience for taking up at once any small rattle that may develop in a joint, and we have increased the size of the set screw from 5/8" as shewn on LeC.536 to .750" as the present standard design. You will notice that I have shewn the standard amount of joint projecting beyond the ball, on the assumption that general arrangement F.4193 is correct, and that the joint has been prevented from fouling the wheel in Series H and onwards, by increasing the offset of the steering lever. OY. | ||