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).
Patentability concerns regarding a crankshaft damper in comparison to a Lanchester design.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 25\3\ Scan240 | |
| Date | 12th April 1927 | |
| X. 634 To BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} RG.{Mr Rowledge} From R and E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Mr. Claremont. R1/M12.4.27. RE. CRANKSHAFT DAMPER. I am convinced that Lanchester expects, and believes, that his improved damper is in effect our G.L. damper. Simply stated we have damper, flywheel and half-time gears all fastened solidly together. These are fitted torsionally to the crankshaft through the medium of spring drive and friction. (Lanchester uses fluid friction). We use solid friction; (apparently this is the only difference.) We understand very definitely that we can use our arrangement, but cannot patent it because Lanchester shews the principle of our scheme. Does he not say in his claims, as shewn and described in the drgs. and text. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||