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).
Full description of the Houdaille Hydraulic Suspension system, a self-compensating shock and recoil absorber for motor cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 25\2\ Scan118 | |
| Date | 21th May 1921 guessed | |
| All Road Shocks Eliminated. The Tyres Cling to the Road. FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE HOUDAILLE HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION (PATENTED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD) :: Or Self Compensating Shock and Recoil Absorber FOR MOTOR CARS. :: [Left Column] The HOUDAILLE HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION (patented in every country) is the only known solution of the problem long attempted of permanently and automatically adjusting the strength and flexibility of motor car springs to the varying road conditions and weights carried, and thus ensuring luxurious and ideal suspension. Probably equally important is the fact that this device will effect such economy and increase in the life of the Tyres as will surprise every owner. (see Testimonials). Image caption: Plan of the Compression Chamber. (R) THEIR OUTSTANDING FEATURES ARE: (1) The Recuperator keeps the Compression Chamber full under pressure down to the last drop of liquid, thus there can be no variation in efficiency, for air which is compressible cannot enter. (2) Instantly adjusted to absorb the shock of the recoil of the springs of any Car. (3) Once adjusted require no further attention. (4) No Springs or wearing parts, and only one moving part always in lubricant. (5) Are progressive in action, a most important feature seeing how road surfaces vary. (6) All parts of special steel and perfect finish and no solder or brazing used. EXPLANATION OF SECTIONAL DIAGRAM (FIG. 2). B. The Walls of the Compression Chamber. R.{Sir Henry Royce} The Recuperator Chamber. C. The Partition dividing the Compression Chamber from the Recuperator. T. The Lever Arm secured by its hexagon locking Nut. N. The moving hollow spindle to which the Lever Arm is connected and the Paddles attached to it. P. The fixed Partition. G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} The Orifice in "G" through which the Liquid passes freely to the reverse side on the Compression of the Car Springs, but on their recoil, the Oil Passage is blocked by Z. a Ball constituting a non-return Valve. I. The Regulating Rod, and "d'" its Oval End enabling most minute adjustment of size of aperture d'. PRICE £10.10.0 per set of four. Image caption: FIG 2. Section. The HOUDAILLE Hydraulic Shock and Recoil (or rebound of springs) Absorber is based on the principle used in checking the recoil of quick firing guns. Many thousands of Cars have already been fitted with them. Before the War very many leading Car manufacturers—French and English—fitted HOUDAILLE HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION as part of their standard equipment. A still larger number are fitting them now. It is well known that the shocks and constant vibrations felt by passengers on Motor Cars when travelling over uneven roads are due to the recoil or rebound of the Car springs, which rebound is continually going on many times a second on all Cars. The HOUDAILLE Hydraulic Suspension prevents this violent recoil shock by allowing a free movement of the Car Springs in the one direction, but by means of Hydraulic braking, retarding their recoil and rebound and thus progressively with the force of the rebound, preventing or absorbing all road shocks, and the wheels from leaving the ground, consequently the Houdaille Suspensions make the springing of any Car perfect, prolong the life of the Tyres, increase the speed of the Car, and vastly increase safety in driving. DESCRIPTION OF THEIR CONSTRUCTION. The HOUDAILLE Hydraulic Suspension is composed of a circular steel chamber divided into two compartments by a steel cover or plate (C); the lower compartment forms the Compression Chamber "B" and the outer forms the Recuperator-Chamber "R". [Right Column] M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} The Slot enabling "l" to be moved by a Turn-screw. D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} The Oval end of the Regulating Rod "Z," the movement of which determines the size of the aperture in the moving spindle "p" through which the Liquid is forced on the recoil of the Car Springs. F.{Mr Friese} The Patent Stuffing Box with E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} its aperture through which Liquid passing from the Compression Chamber to lubricate the spindle "P" is trapped in the Recuperator Chamber "R". S. The aperture in "C" forming the non-return Ball Valve through which such liquid is instantly replaced into the Compression Chamber "B," thus preventing the entrance of any air, and ensuring unchangeable efficiency. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} The Boss on which "P" is supported. In the Compression Chamber is a fixed partition "G," a similar but rotating partition or paddle "H" being attached to the hollow spindle "P," in which is fitted the valve regulating rod "I" slotted at "M" to allow of regulation of the oil passages. A special Stuffing Box "F" traps all liquid that passes for the lubrication of the spindle "P" and retains it in Recuperator "R.{Sir Henry Royce}" On the outside is the Lever arm "T" (see also inside the fold) secured by the locking nut "N" and a rod cut to requisite length with ball joints at each extremity; these are riveted respectively to the end of the lever arm, and to a bracket which is attached to the Chassis, as the case may be; the Suspension Box is bolted to the Chassis, or to a plate on the Axle, whichever is more convenient, thus forming connection between the Chassis and Axle. DESCRIPTION OF THEIR ACTION. When the Car Springs are compressed, the rotating paddle in the Compensator Chamber forces the liquid freely through the two orifices in the fixed partition in the Compensator Chamber, but the recoil of the Car Springs, causes the rotating paddle to move in the contrary direction, and a ball valve in this fixed partition prevents the liquid passing through the orifices and it is therefore compelled to pass through the two-orifice "d" in the hollow spindle "P," and the size of these orifices is determined by adjustment on a road test (so as to perfectly check the strength of the recoil of the Car Springs) of the position of the valve regulating rod "I," the inner end of which being of oval (or cam) shape, permits a wide range of variation of diameter of these orifices. By thus increasing or diminishing the amount of liquid that can be forced through these orifices, one can correctly and progressively brake the force of the recoil of the springs of any Car to which the Suspensions are fitted, thus eliminating all road shocks and preventing the tyres leaving the road. The adjusting rod "I" is slotted (M) at its outer end so as to permit of its being moved by the adjustments with a screwdriver. The slightest movement of this rod has an appreciable result on the action of the Suspension, and it cannot move of itself. Any liquid that may pass along the spindle "P." for its lubrication is trapped in the Stuffing Box and returned to the Recuperator Chamber, and any liquid that may leave the Compression Chamber is instantly sucked back from the Recuperator Chamber through the non-return ball valve "S" and by thus keeping the Compression Chamber always full of Castor Oil, there can be no variation in efficiency as air which is compressible can never enter it. Testing for value adjustment. Adjustment. IMPORTANT. Use only Castor Oil for refilling. The Compression and Recuperator Chambers are, when delivered, always full of Castor Oil. The only attention required when in use, is to re-fill the Recuperator Chamber through the filler cap with Castor Oil about every 4,000 miles run, or say twice yearly. This liquid does not vary in density with changes of temperature, and no other liquid must be used. Instructions for ordering. To obtain perfect Suspension of a car, these Hydraulic Suspensions should be fitted to the front as well as to the back axles for, as every one knows, the front wheels receive and transmit road shocks through the Car, just as do the back wheels; the car can then be steered at any speed with only a couple of fingers on the steering wheel, for the tyres will not leave the road, and the driving becomes vastly safer. It is necessary when ordering to state in which position it is proposed to bolt the Compensators, viz.:— to the Axle or Chassis, as those constructed for fixing on the Axle cannot be fixed on the chassis (and vice versa) as the action would be reversed. No other information is required—neither weight nor horse power nor style of body making the slightest difference. If for fitting to axle, state if required with horizontal or vertical lugs. CAUTION.—Use no other types of Shock Absorbers. Types working by friction require daily adjustment, work the same in both directions and their action is not progressive. Types made of coiled springs are only spring weakeners. Types made. HOW FITTED. The HOUDAILLE Hydraulic Suspensions are made for bolting to chassis and coupling up with Axle, or for bolting to a plate fitted to the Axle, or on the spring table, and coupling up with chassis as may be most convenient. If required for bolting to Axle, they are supplied either with horizontal or vertical bolt lugs. Fully detailed and illustrated directions for fitting and adjustment are sent with each pair. [Handwritten Notes] Top left corner: 2.8 / 6.1 / 8.8 / 1.2 / 2.2 and 6.7 Top center: Dr. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Roor. D.M.H Middle right, vertical: X1152 Left side, near FIG 2: WE SUGGEST THAT THESE SMALL LETTERS, BEING TOO SMALL TO TRACE, SHOULD BE PUT IN BY ARROWS, THUS Below price: Similar principle to that of the hydraulic buffer of a gun. Right of 'It is well known...': Cause of road shocks. Right of 'The HOUDAILLE...prevents...': How prevented by Houdailles. | ||