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).
On the necessity and technical details of an improved universal joint for the Bentley V chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 99\4\ scan0119 | |
| Date | 23th August 1939 | |
| [Handwritten top right]: 431. [Handwritten left margin]: FJH{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} [Handwritten top centre]: GRY.{Shadwell Grylls} I got this written Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} [Handwritten signature over title]: J.H. BENTLEY V.{VIENNA} UNIVERSAL JOINT. There must be no misunderstanding in regard to the necessity for the introduction of the improved method of carrying the universal joint in the cross. The concession which is being made to the Works is in regard to the first few chassis only, and it is not intended that cars beyond the first essential few for Show purposes should be permitted to go without the new joint. There are variations in intensity in regard to roughness of the universal joint. This is a matter for L.A. to settle on test whether the roughness is such as to demand modification. The variation in roughness is due to slight variation in balance of the two shafts, as they are necessarily brought into balance by modification at the ends, whereas the out of balance might conceivably be along the shaft. This leaves a rotating couple on the propeller shaft, and according to the intensity of this couple,(that is the out of balance which happens to be at the ends or the middle,) causes differences betwixt one propeller shaft and the other. A change of propeller shaft could therefore conceivably improve the position on the first few cars, later this would not be required. A new method of support will completely cover the situation. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | ||