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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).
Letter from F.H. Royce discussing the investigation of worm drive systems, with references to Dennis and Lanchester cars.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 2\6\  B002_X 140 141 157-page215
Date  20th June 1912 guessed
  
(2)

of these people, and it might be possible to get hold of a modern Dennis car for a little while to find out what type of worm drive they are turning out.

Though I have always liked their system of putting the worm on the top, I am afraid it would upset the position of the floor of the carriage too much for us to do so. It is, however, an exceedingly convenient scheme to obtain road clearance not so much under the axle but under the engine as the slope of the transmission does with this scheme come in the opposite direction which is much more convenient. If the Dennis people have any solution of this difficulty we could soon learn it by examining one of their cars.

I have heard it expressed that only two people can make worm drives, they being, of course, the Lanchester and the Dennis people.

I shall be glad if Mr Bailey could have time and opportunity for looking up the various points mentioned in this letter, as I think it is quite wise for us not to abandon this job until we have thoroughly satisfied ourselves that we have done all that is possible. Moreover, the several chassis and axles we have made should be completed, as they would make useful machines for running about at the Works or in some way in which we could obtain records of their behaviour.

With reference to the Dennis people and the bodywork, particulars could easily be obtained from the coachbuilders by either Mr Haldenby or Mr Oldham.

F.H.Royce.
  
  


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