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).
Brake costs and proposing the adoption of a lighter, cheaper Girling brake system to save weight and money.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 85\1\ scan0204 | |
| Date | 25th September 1936 | |
| x206 To Nor. & E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Hdy.{William Hardy} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}10/KW..25.9.36. Brake Costs. With reference to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale}11/KW.25.9.36 attached, we are trying to establish the principle that if, during development, we find it necessary in the interests of efficiency or weight saving to increase the cost of a part, then the expenditure so incurred must be more than compensated for by a saving elsewhere on the same section. In this case we want to pay for our light alloy drums by a simplified brake linkage. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale} has been working with Girlings for more than twelve months. We consider now that, subject to a successful 15,000 miles test in France, their system as fitted to 1-B-IV is quite as good as our own but much lighter and cheaper. It is another case of saving weight and money at the same time. We suggest that the Design Dept. go over the layout on the experimental car with a view to getting an approved system in the minimum time. If this approved system is not ready by the time the next Bentley goes to France (which will be shortly because further bearing tests are necessary) we recommend that the experimental scheme should be run as drawn to gain experience. It will of course be used with the light alloy drums. It should be understood that the expression "Girling System" is really only used for convenience. The only part of the system on which there is a patent and which would be made outside is the small wedge which operates the shoes, and possibly the adjusters. All the linkage, brake shoes, drums, etc. could be produced in the R.R. factory as heretofore. If successful, this linkage would lead to further economies on Phantom III and Wraith. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||