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).
The development and testing of dampers and governor control systems for vehicles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179b\3\ img397 | |
| Date | 29th March 1933 | |
| -2- He/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}16/KT.29.3.33. Mechanical Strength. The dampers started off with a two point fixing to the frame. This did not prove satisfactory with aluminium cased dampers, also the local stress on the frame caused tearing. A three bolt fixing was therefore tested which has proved itself satisfactory. Under high loads, over twice those to which the present dampers are subjected, certain failures of the cases took place, modifications have been incorporated which have overcome the trouble and the cases were quite sound at the completion of the last 10,000 miles test on 7er.III. The central lever fixing by friction and a key could be made to fail when the damper was partially full of oil only. Therefore, in spite of a successful completion of 10,000 miles with this type of lever, it was thought expedient to utilise the square shaft as on the present damper. This has the additional advantage that it does not require superlative skill to tighten it up correctly. We consider that the J.III. damper now is strong enough mechanically to withstand loads such as are required on the continental Phantom when Hartfords are discarded. Production. It is proposed to bring in the fixed load J.III type damper on the 20/25. GOVERNOR CONTROL. Certain difficulties have been experienced with this control under road conditions, notably with regard to instantaneous response to changes of car speed and effectiveness over obstacles such as humped backed bridges at moderate road speeds. However, now that we have maximum body capacity cars fitted with low rating springs capable of 85 m.p.h. it is imperative that we should provide adjustable shock dampers to make these cars reasonably safe at maximum speeds The scheme that we have with hand control is certainly a very definite advantage on what we are, or other people, at present selling. It is therefore proposed to bring it in on the Phantom in May, and by that time 27-EX will have completed 10,000 miles as fitted. We shall be in a position to demonstrate the system to Sales almost immediately on 20-EX. He/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||