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).
The breaking of front springs on the Goshawk model, discussing causes and potential solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\3\ Scan107 | |
| Date | 19th May 1922 | |
| X.4261. To Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R. {Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. c. to Wor. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to BY. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} R4/M19.5.22. GOSHAWK+ RE BREAKING OF FRONT SPRINGS. These springs were lengthened during the designing so that there should be no doubt that they were ample for the size of the chassis. It would be found therefore that considering the load which the front end of this car has to carry, the weight of steel in the front springs is proportionate to that on the 40/50, and the stress ranges of the plates are the same. Now, if the front springs are as good as the 40/50, it is merely a question of either overtesting, or materials. I think however under the circumstances of the continuous running we must not be at all surprised to have the front spring break occasionally. I do not believe for a moment that it would occur with good springs under ordinary circumstances. We have suggested that the rating of the spring shall go up a little, in other words, we shall be running the front of the car on slightly stiffer springs. When this is done the stress in all the plates will be definitely less than in the 40/50. It is however imperative that we continuously strive in getting a better quality of spring such as we found we could obtain in America. This we must leave to the Works. R. {Sir Henry Royce} | ||