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).
Visit to the Borg & Beck factory to test two new clutch operation systems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 129\2\ scan0052 | |
| Date | 8th June 1935 | |
| X1110 To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Hdy.{William Hardy} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} Hm{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}8/MW.8.6.35. Clutch Operation. Hdy.{William Hardy} and the writer visited the Borg & Beck factory at Leamington and were able to try their two most recent forms of clutch operation. The first of these was extremely simple, consisting of an additional spring which during the first part of the movement of the pedal (while taking up the clearance) toggled over and then provided a couple on the clutch pedal, assisting one to declutch. As demonstrated on a Vauxhall car the pedal effort had become too light and the initial force to operate the toggle was noticeable. They will rig up this arrangement for us to try on a Phantom chassis with a view to reducing the pedal effort from 60 lbs. to 30 lbs. We can then find out whether its presence other than in reducing the pedal effort can be made unnoticeable. The second scheme we tried was a rather complicated scheme of automatic disengagement fitted to a Morris car. The energy to declutch was supplied by an engine driven gear oil pump. The pressure from this pump when admitted by one of three valves to one side of a piston immediately disengaged the clutch. The operation of the valves was such that - (1) With the throttle closed a governor valve declutched below 800 r.p.m. (2) With the throttle open the governor valve is inoperative and the engine will pull down to its stalling speed. (3) Pressure in any direction on the gear lever knob operates an electric contact which through a relay opens the change speed valve, causing immediate withdrawal of the clutch under all conditions. On starting up the engine, the clutch is automatically out. Any gear can be engaged. Without any thought about the clutch pedal, the car is made to move off by opening the throttle. | ||