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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).
The trial of hydraulic shock dampers, detailing their performance disadvantages and manufacturing difficulties.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 16\4\  Scan014
Date  1st December 1926
  
To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}
c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}
c. to AH. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints}
c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} EY.

Y/7520

Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/RmL/LHO.12.26.

HYDRAULIC SHOCK DAMPERS. X4855

We have tried several sets of hydraulic shock dampers having spring controlled movement as on N.sch.2209. On the whole we consider that the disadvantages of this type of shock damper outweigh its advantages. The main objection to this damper is that it does not control the car sufficiently well at high speeds when fitted on the rear. On the front it is not such a good preventative against high speed wobbles as the present standard type. RAC-VII chassis which recently visited WW. was equipped with dampers to N.sch. 2209 and we consider that the springing lacked stability due to this cause.

Manufacturing difficulties were found in obtaining the correct loading owing to variation in springs and their inaccessibility, and with thin oil the valve seat was found to let the fluid flow freely past it before it had uncovered the port. The use of thick oil cured the trouble but the shock damper efficiency might suffer in hot weather.

The other point is that we like the present damper because the load in one direction can easily be varied. We consider that as customers requirements with regard to suspension differ so widely, an accessible adjustment that can only be altered by the Works is a distinct asset.

Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/W.A.Robotham.
  
  


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