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).
Comparison of controllable shock dampers with the competitor Telecontrol Hartford system.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 151\2\ scan0197 | |
| Date | 1st March 1934 | |
| W/S. {Derby Works / Sales} Bkl. From Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} /Les. Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} /Les.16/KW.1.3.34. R.R. Controllable Shock Dampers. Bkl.14/WT.28.2.34. The only competitive shock damper control in this country is the Telecontrol Hartford. The H.T.3 Telecontrol Hartford which is fitted to a number of R.R. cars has a max. load of 160 lbs. The R.R. scheme has a max. load of 400 lbs. With the hand control in the min. position the governor range is 40 lbs. damper load at 10 m.p.h. to 150 lbs. at 80 m.p.h. The movement of the hand control from min. to max. superimposes 250 lbs. load on to the min. governor range, so that there is 290 lbs. at 10 m.p.h. and 400 lbs. at 80 m.p.h. Between the min. and max. positions there are 11 notches giving different degrees of damping. The large range of the hand control is given so that each customer can adjust the damping to his personal requirements for different types of roads. It also caters for differences in types of bodies, weight carried, and rating of the road springs. The Telecontrol Hartford is extremely hard work to operate at max. load positions. It is necessary to have a separate control for the front and rear. If one control were used it would be twice as stiff as the present ones. The R.R. control is infinitely lighter and operates both front and rear dampers to the correct proportions. The full damper load is necessary on crater type roads such as Bishops Avenue at 40 m.p.h. This adds to the control and comfort of the car. Hydraulic control ensures even load on all dampers. The dampers being hydraulic themselves prevent any variation due to moisture. | ||