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).
Benefits of hydraulic shock dampers, tyre pressures, and a proposed design change to the relief valve.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\O\January1926-March1926\ Scan67 | |
| Date | 19th February 1926 | |
| [Stamp] ORIGINAL TO HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} } FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} (Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) C. to CJ. BJ. WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} RG.{Mr Rowledge} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} PN.{Mr Northey} GWB. RR. HYDRAULIC SHOCK DAMPERS. [Handwritten Annotations] X235 / x8520 4457 I have already written to press these forward for both front and back axles. They are important for two reasons: (1) More effective than any other type for keeping down high speed steering wobbles. (2) They should enable the cars to ride smoother and steadier (improved suspension) - for comfort and anti-sickness. Good suspension here in France is most important. In addition I am pressing for the larger low pressure tyres in spite of risk of high speed steering wobbles. Here in France the small racers use them, probably at rather increased pressure. My own opinion is that there is equal risk of having the ordinary tyres at too low a pressure. Moreover, there is more danger from hard tyres than low pressure ones, because the back axle does not hold the road as well; they hop and bounce, which is quite as bad as skidding. Regarding the feature of the relief valve making a noise when air is above it I have suggested a slight change which may be difficult to arrange. If I remember rightly the low pressure side has a definite restricted leak to help the filling by letting out the air as soon as the damper is worked. I telegraphed that this should be at the very highest point, and I have since thought might be thus - [Diagram Annotation Left] Cavity connected by drilling of convenient and safe size to reservoir, to drain back oil passing restricted leak. [Diagram Annotation Right] A very small hole is drilled here, forming restricted leak from L.P. side and taking air away from highest point. There still may be 1/100 of cub. in. above the end of valve spindle, but one cannot believe this will cause noise. Should the pins of the connecting links wear, these and their holes can be hardened or bushed. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||