Rolls-Royce Archives
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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).
Discussion comparing epicyclic and synchro-mesh gearbox designs, with reference to a Buick implementation.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 170\2\  img042
Date  15th May 1931
  
Detroit. Copies made.
May 15/31. 6

My dear Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}
Have just received yours of May 4 and discussed it with E.W. Seaholm. (which perhaps you may not have intended.)
Replying to these points as they come up—

① Epicyclic. From what I have seen of helical boxes I should say this is a waste of time. The helical even in its present stage is generally as quiet as the average spool-box and is occasionally silent.
The helical with synchro mesh is not the millenium but seems to me by actual trial near enough to it for the next few years.

⑧ The Buick synchro-mesh is better than ours as a production job. Ours with its damping action etc is a nicer feeling job - when right. There are no bugs in the Buick scheme except that it is not applicable to a helical box in which constant mesh & second are at opposite ends of the box, which is a favored design for solid mounting of helicals. We favor a box on traditional lines with helical second in central position, helical first speed also, and big section shafts.

Boxes with center bearings & 2nd in center are also being produced for better support of
  
  


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