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).
Use and history of drilled valves in hydraulic shock dampers.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\T\2July1929-December1929\ Scan206 | |
| Date | 10th December 1929 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} c. to Ss.{S. Smith} Dd. c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Sor. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington}6/MJ.10.12.29. x5520 x7520 x8520 HYDRAULIC SHOCK DAMPERS. With reference to R.3/M4.12.29. We note that you are at present working on shock absorbers. We observe that you mention as an advantage little or no damping for a short distance each side of the normal position. We are afraid that the use of drilled shock absorber valves have given you the impression that this is a desirable feature and feel, therefore, that we should like to make the general position clear. The drilled shock absorber valve was first introduced in America. There appears to be no doubt that, judging by the numerous American cars that have passed through our hands, until recently the buying public in the States did not demand good road holding at high speeds. We believe that this was the reason why R.R.A.I. got away with this alteration. The first time drilled valves were used on English cars was on the 20 HP rear shock absorbers. Its introduction was nothing to do with the riding of the car but solely to overcome the trouble which was being experienced with knocking shock absorbers. | ||