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).
Technical memorandum discussing various potential improvements and combinations for vehicle steering systems.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\Q\January1927-March1927\ 139 | |
| Date | 22th March 1927 | |
| TO HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}) FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}) (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) C.c to DJ, WOR{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}, CWB, PN{Mr Northey}, E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} STEERING - GENERAL. ORIGINAL R3/M22.3.27. REC'D & DESPATCHED FROM WW. 25.3.27. X6430 (crossed out) X7430 X235 (crossed out) X5430 (crossed out) We have now many items to make this better - Increased irreversibility. (1) Nearly or quite irreversible worm in still greater dia: perhaps slightly slower still. Maintain oil film. (2) Sufficiently long nut to prevent oil film breaking down. Damping cross tube, anti-rattles. (3) Cross steering tube ball ends with damping friction. This seems to be proving that this will not increase the wear because it prevents rattling; even if necessary increase dia. of balls, perhaps only a little. Spring return to enable (1). (4) If one tried actually just irreversible steering (1) with spring return on steering column. Triple damping - this with (3) & (6). (5) Damped pendulum lever would probably be necessary with just irreversible steering. Thorough and constant damping, unvariable. (6) Hydraulic damper on steering set to give very constant damping, and if possible slow free movement. Certainly it seems as though leaks could slowly increase from centre to full lock if such a scheme were practical, but I think there must be - Safety from excessive stresses from road shocks. (7) correct geometry and ample clearance in elasticity to prevent excessive stresses. All, or any of these as quickly as possible; some of them are now standard. Safety from change of lean of pivots. (8) Ample and constant lean of front pivot by means of/shock damper and spring control. combined With the best of the above we should have the best steering of any other car in existence, but we must get a move on before we lose reputation by getting behind others. We have done so well lately if we can only take advantage of it. Naturally one cannot have all these fittings, and I want you to pick out the best combination. I favour Very small extra complication and cost. (a) Just irreversible worm when worn to good bedding. (b) Damping by ball ends and pendulum lever. (c) Slight spring return on steering column. (d) Correct geometry. (e) Increased lean of pivot 3°. I should like to avoid the necessity of - (X) Friction on steering column because it will not help damping. (Y) Hydraulic damper because of the cost and weight etc. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||