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).
Improving the torsional stiffness of larger car frames by using the engine as a stiffening component.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179\1\ img125 | |
| Date | 28th November 1931 | |
| HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} R3/W28.11.31. Sent off 30.11.31 8634. x7380. C. to SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} ROW. DV. [struck through] re. LARGER CARS. My impression is that we must do something to improve these in torsional stiffness so that the frame is not so liable to follow the front axle. To get some definite experiments on this subject I suggested, and it was agreed, that it would be good to fit up one car as rigidly as possible, using the engine, gearbox, and cross in the frame, all to contribute to the stiffness, and for the moment ignore entirely the vibration due to the engine impulses, torque reactions, etc. It was realised also that the sports car must be so fitted. If in these experiments it is found a definite benefit to use the engine for stiffening instead of at present for damping, we should modify the engine so that it can be used for this purpose with less tendency to vibrate the car. [Signature] R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||