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).
From 'E' to 'EH' detailing Mr. Royce's suggestion to improve clutch take-up by introducing flexibility into the anchorage.
| Identifier | Morton\M11\ img132 | |
| Date | 1st February 1919 guessed | |
| To EH. from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} El/G23119 Contd. Mr. Royce points out actually that any flexibility in the existing clutch anchorage of the big car is, of course, acting as a means of modifying the engagement pressure of the clutch, and that a very easy way of trying this principle would be to introduce some flexibility into the anchorage. The important condition is that there should be no friction between the clutch surface and the flexibility, otherwise the clutch will set up a period when taking up, due to the bias of this friction. When the flexibility is in the friction material of the clutch, a beautiful take-up results; this is ideal but cannot be maintained as the clutch material tends to harden. The nearest point to the clutch of the 40/50 chassis at which flexibility can be most easily applied, is the cross beam anchorage piece carried from the engine; this can be made of flat spring steel* to give the desired effect. Would you, in accordance with Mr. Royce's wishes, rig up a car in this manner* and report as regards what effect it has on the take-up of the clutch, both on the forward gears and on the reverse. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||