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).
Proprietary servo system design with two freewheels and its patentability.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179b\1\ img152 | |
| Date | 7th November 1932 | |
| H.DY.{F R Danby} ) FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} HY.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} ) HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} ) C. to BG. WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} EG. R.{Sir Henry Royce} re. SERVOS. Some years ago I schemed a system whereby the servo was turned in one direction whichever way the car moved?. This required some additional gearing, and two freewheels made it possible for us to use quite a different design of servo, and probably avoid the servo coming in with a crash after the foot pressure had already carried the mechanism some distance. I do not remember if we have a patent for this, but if we should wish to use it, it might be a means of avoiding the Hispano patent, or something to negotiate with them for the use of their single freewheel. I rather have the impression that the patent that can be proved to represent progress is not of necessity subject to prior patents. As this does not seem quite fair or logical to my mind I doubt whether it is true. It really means this - that if anyone can make an improvement on an existing patent that shews definite progress, they are entitled to use it independent of earlier patents in a more crude form. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} will tell us if this is so, or get to know from Mr. Claremont's experts. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||