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).
Extract from a note by Mr. Royce regarding the abandonment of the free-wheel gearbox experiment.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 6\2\ 02-page006 | |
| Date | 23th April 1912 | |
| Extract from Mr Royce's Note dated 23rd. April.1912. I think the free wheel gear box experiment should be abandoned, and I think it was premature and unwise for the Committee to put in hand two sets of such apparatus without getting the permission of Mr Johnson or myself on the subject. The reasons of my not suggesting its use are fairly well pointed out in the Minutes, and as I pointed out to Mr Claremont we should be making a rod for our own backs which we might not discover for some time. My reason for abandoning this was that I had noticed on one or two experimental cars fitted with it certain breakages which I could not account for except by the sudden engagement of the pawls. The effect of the car over-running the engine except on a straight drive is a rather serious matter, and I feel so strongly on this question that I would like it to be clearly understood that I cannot take any responsibility of any cars which are fitted with it. I think the report was sufficiently condemning to prevent the putting in hand of experimental sets, and these things should not be done without the special approval of the chief draughtsman of the Dept., and myself, or by special instruction from Mr Johnson. F.H.R. | ||