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).
Unsatisfactory performance of low-rated springs on a 25 HP chassis and the necessity of adequate shock-absorber damping.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 106\1\ scan0250 | |
| Date | 14th May 1931 | |
| X5410 PN.{Mr Northey}23/WT14.5.31. S/W. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}..from PN.{Mr Northey} Copy to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} Bx. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} 5410. 5520. Low Rated Springs 25 H.P. The present position in respect of fitting low rated springs to 25 H.P. Chassis, such as have been fitted to GLR-59, appears to me not to be very satisfactory unless this modification is accompanied by an adequate provision of shock-absorbing damping. On the trials car referred to above, this is not the case, and there is no doubt there is an excess of rolling and spring movement when running at all fast on uneven surfaces, which is highly undesirable, and will only tend to increase the impression of sea-sickness with many people. I feel that with adequate shock-absorber loading, these springs should constitute an extremely important improvement, but not otherwise. I think the use of standardising these low rated springs now depends upon the [text struck through] degree of damping which you are able to provide on the standard chassis, either with the existing shock-absorbers loaded up as much as possible, or with some modification. It is important please to have your remarks on these points as early as possible. [STAMP: RECEIVED 14 MAY 1931] PN.{Mr Northey} P.S. Since dictating the above I have received your Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/KT.13.5.31. It would appear there should be considerable confirmation by road testing before we would be justified in standardising these low-rated springs. There is not a great deal of margin of safety, and the various factors tending to make satisfactory and selective steering at high speeds are already sufficiently handicapped. This memo referred to does not touch on the question of adequate damping. | ||