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).
Technical committee memo discussing the efficiency and gear ratios of a worm axle.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 2\6\ B002_X 140 141 157-page162 | |
| Date | 4th February 1912 | |
| Copy. Y4/B7212. Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence. 4th February 1912. Members of the Technical Committee. Re Worm Axle. The worm axle may be expected to give better results as regards torsional vibration because the friction of the worm gear would have a tendency to damp out torsional vibration. In calculating the efficiency of a worm axle it should be remembered that the efficiency will appear somewhat higher than the bevel, because the higher ratio will make a smaller number of road wheel revolutions, i.e. less power will be lost in the tyres. Mr Royce thinks the ratio should not be less than 3.3 because of the lower efficiency, and that the ratio of 3.6, which we have now, is correct for a heavy body. We cannot see that any increase in dimensions of worm or wheel can be better than the dimensions we have. A study of the Lanchester worm gear and comparison with our own should assist us to a right conclusion. A well fitted Hindley worm should approximate to a well worn worm gear, and for this reason should be expected to give a higher efficiency as the film of oil will be better maintained. X141 | ||