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).
Experimental improvements to vehicle ride quality using different springs and drilled valves, focusing on Phantom I, Phantom II, and light fabric-bodied cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 55\4\ Scan392 | |
| Date | 10th December 1929 | |
| Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rml/MJ10.12.29 contd. -3- appears to be absolutely essential to get the full benfit from these weak springs. For light fabric bodied cars which we have so far failed to improve to any great extent, we are experimentally trying out some front springs having greater initial deflection and increased free camber. We anticipate that these may lower the frequency of the pitching speed which is so objectionable and, if they accomplish the required result it might be feasible to utilise them on cars having axle control as on Phantom II. Cushioning of Load reversal by Drilled Valves. The drilled valves are only a means of softening the low speed riding when this is of primary importance to the customer. If used to excess they spoil the high speed car control At present we are not using a leak greater than .055 dia. Summarising the position, we believe that in the majority of cases we are now able to meke a very big improve-ment in the riding of Phantom I cars, and owners whom we have never previously been able to satisfy can appreciate this. We have not yet however, solved the problem of the light fabric bodied car and we feel that we have made very little impression on those that we have so far dealt with. As light bodies have so many other advantages, however, and are largely owned by enthusiasts, we feel that it is worth while persevering with our present series of tests. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||