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).
Post-war chassis components, focusing on the self-starter motor, ignition switch, and a detailed analysis of road wheel design, materials, and testing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 34\3\ Scan016 | |
| Date | 3rd October 1916 | |
| X.2641. [crossed out] X.2565. - Post-War Chassis Contd. -6- except that the bracket should be a light cast aluminium one instead of steel. (21) X.2082 [crossed out] X.2641. Twelve-volt R-R Self Starter motor with single button switch on dashboard, (Motor design now being improved). Switch should be constructed and tested on present motor. (22) Two-way switch for battery ignition. (New designs.) (23) Road Wheels. It is intended that we should continue to use the Dunlop pattern for objecting to the use of Rudge-Whitworth wheel, except that it may be considered more difficult to tigthern these sufficiently to carry the load without slight movement between the hubs (fixed and detachable.) We think however, fresh wheels ought to be fitted on this or some other chassis, preferably one with a much heavier body, to prove whether the Dunlop people have been able to make the spokes stand up to the work without breaking. We have suggested that these spokes be made of some of the high duty steels, which we found was necessary for axles, and I suggest either Chrome Vanadium, or Silicon Chrome or Nickel Chrome steel for this purpose. In my opinion they ought to be of similar steel to that used for valve springs, but perhaps less hard, and the spokes ought to be heat treated through the second heat treatment may be different from that which is required for a spring, that is, it may be found necessary to make them softer than would be necessary for a valve spring. Contd. | ||