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).
Private and confidential letter regarding the introduction of a new elastic Universal Joint for testing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 51\4\ Scan112 | |
| Date | 27th February 1926 guessed | |
| For enclosure to Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} (ROY {Sir Henry Royce} 5/MG5.2.26) ---------------- Copy of letter marked "Private & Confidential" ---------------- You will be interested to hear that we are shortly introducing a new type of Universal Joint in connection with the Hartford Shock Absorbers, and I am sending you, in the course of the next few days, a sample pair for testing purposes and your inspection. This new joint is of an elastic nature and entirely eliminates all wearing surfaces; I am also sending you a demonstrator which will show you its construction and action better than I can describe it. When you see the device, I have no doubt that you will jump to the conclusion that we are using an ordinary compressed rubber bush, but this is not so, as the rubber as fitted to the flexible bearing is of a special preparation and in tension, we use the elasticity of the rubber when in this state to give the required angular movement. I would like to also point out that the samples we are sending you are simply adaptations of the types of our standard Shock Absorbers - later on, when we get into the production of these, the end will be altered, as with this Rubber Joint the double pin type of Universal is not necessary. We have of course not adopted this Joint without the most exhaustive tests and you will realise that the principle can be applied to other parts of the automobile such as shackle springs etc. and if, after inspection and test, you are interested in these applications, we shall be glad to have your kind enquiries and go into the matter fully with you. ENCLOSURE No 242 | ||