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).
Letter to Wilmot-Breeden Ltd. regarding the failure of a specimen Type A stabiliser cap during an endurance test.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 118\2\ scan0167 | |
| Date | 28th December 1934 | |
| X4522 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer}12/KW. Exptl: Dept. 28th December, 1934. Messrs. Wilmot-Breeden Ltd., Eastern Works, Camden Street, Birmingham 1. For the attention of Mr. Spicer. Dear Sirs, We have subjected the specimen Stabiliser Type A, with which you supplied us recently, to a 30 mins. endurance test on the rig which we made for measuring frequencies. As a result of this test one of the caps on top of the bob weights at the ends of the stabiliser has cracked, as shown in the attached sketch. The test virtually consisted of oscillating the stabiliser torsionally with a very small forced amplitude at its natural frequency and, while we realise that this is more severe than conditions on the car, we think that it has definitely shown the broken cap to be a weak point. We think that the trouble would be overcome if the cap were made of steel instead of zinc base alloy. Accordingly we are preparing a detail drawing of a modified cap and stud, and we shall want you to incorporate this as soon as possible in the type A stabilisers. We are anxiously awaiting the six type A stabilisers which you are sending us, and would be glad if you would let us know when we may expect them. Yours truly, FOR ROLLS-ROYCE LIMITED. | ||