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).
Consulting engineer's letter of opinion concerning the utility of the 'Super-Suspension' invention for laminated springs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154\1\ scan0034 | |
| Date | 15th December 1930 | |
| MAJOR E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} BEAUMONT O.B.E. (Mil.), Assoc.M.Inst.C.E.,M.I.Mech.E,M.I.A.E. M.Inst., M.S.A.E.(U.S.A.) CONSULTING ENGINEER. Telegraphic Address: Vibromotor, Estrand, London. Telephone No: Temple Bar 9254. 20, Essex Street, Strand, London, W.C.2. 15th December, 1930. I.C. Sanderson Esq., Managing Director, Messrs. Super-Suspension Ltd., 20-26, Lonsdale Road, N.W.6. Dear Sir, In response to your request for a statement of opinion concerning the utility of the Super-Suspension invention. I have carefully considered the effect of such an application to laminated springs and have judged by personal observation how far some of the anticipated benefits are realised. The invention is simple in character and it relates to anti-friction ball or roller bearing plates inserted between the leaves of laminated springs to prevent surface contact, and to secure the freedom of rolling action during change of flexure of the springs. The devices constructed in accordance with the invention fulfil this purpose, inexpensively, and provide ready means of adjustment of the valuable damping effect associated with laminated springs and due to the friction between the leaves or plates. In the application of springs to road motor vehicles it is recognised that great variation of the conditions of use, particularly in relation to weight, speed of travel, and state of road surface, renders the provision of an adequate springing system a matter of considerable difficulty to designers, and manufacturers of vehicles and springs. It is also common knowledge that the practical results obtained with different types of vehicle, and even with different vehicles of the same type, vary largely and indicate that the problems connected with spring suspension are only partially solved. Evidence of this is to be observed for instance in the apparently contradictory endeavours to reduce friction in the springs by lubricating them, and protecting them from adverse weather effects, and simultaneously increasing the friction of the spring system by the employment of some forms of shock absorber, or other damping devices. It is not to be supposed that there is at present general haphazard or indiscriminate application of spring regulating apparatus, for the complete vehicles as produced to-day represent the collective experience of the most expert automobile engineers. It may, however, be inferred, that improvement is still required, and that there remains great need for the introduction either of new methods or supplementary means of dealing with springing difficulties. The Super-Suspension invention may fairly claim inclusion within this category, for it helps to dispose of a formidable variable in the practical application of springs, namely, the uncertain frictional damping influence, and enables supplementary shock absorber or other regulating apparatus to be more effectively used when such application becomes necessary. Most vehicle users have been impressed from time to time with the marked difference in riding comfort resulting from the cleaning and greasing of the springs, and they are usually disappointed by the short duration of the improvement due to the inevitably rapid loss of | ||