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).
Letter from André Dubonnet to Mr. Hives about a new system of variable suspension.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154\1\ scan0161 | |
| Date | 4th July 1934 | |
| ANDRÉ DU BONNET 33, RUE DES GRAVIERS (114, BOULEVARD MAURICE-BARRÈS) NEUILLY TÉL. MAILLOT 19-36 34-44 Neuilly, 4th July 1934 Mr. HIVES ROLLS ROYCE Ltd DERBY Dear Mr. Hives, I am pleased to send you herewith blue prints of a very important improvement of my system of suspension. As you will see, due to only one supplementary piece, we are able to vary the flexibility of the spring at any moment and in the two directions. This invention is, I Believe, very interesting because it allows a big flexibility for a small movement of the wheel. This flexibility decreases automatically, according to the movement of the wheel, in a proportion able to attain fifty per cent and more. This new principle of variable flexibility opens the way in the near future, to 4 independent wheels as this contrivance prevents, to a great extent, the rolling. The flexibility decreasing automatically proportionally to the movement permits us to overcome the surcharges caused by the centrifugal force. I should be very pleased and honoured if you would let me know your opinion on this new improvement. I propose to you to make immediately this modification of the project which I sent you. Please confirm if you are in accordance by telegram. Yours very truly A Dubonnet | ||