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).
Reprint from 'The Motor' magazine about an ingenious new clutch plate for smooth pick-up developed by Noel Newton.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 129\1\ scan0065 | |
| Date | 16th October 1935 | |
| Reprinted from The Motor October 16, 1935. A New Clutch which Provides Smooth Pick-up INGENIOUS CLUTCH PLATE DEVELOPED BY NOEL NEWTON MANY of the new British cars are fitted with an ingenious form of clutch plate developed by Mr. Noel Newton, of Newton and Bennett, Ltd. Although designed in the first place for use with the well-known Newton centrifugal clutch, this plate can also be employed in an ordinary foot-operated mechanism. It is designed in such a way as to give a very gentle pick-up or progressive engagement, making it easy for the driver to move off smoothly. Two steel plates are employed, carrying Ferodo linings, and are spaced by a series of circular washers as shown in a sectioned drawing reproduced. Each washer is held in place by a rivet which also serves to secure the linings. The washers are of spring steel, slightly dished, the curvature being arranged first in one direction and then in the other, alternately. As a result, when the clutch begins to engage, the spring load has to squeeze the washers and is therefore gently applied to the friction surfaces. An incidental advantage of the design is that the slots and holes in the two plates enable air to circulate and provide a certain degree of cooling. In this connection it is of interest to mention that the Newton centrifugal clutch, while still employing the same principle, has been greatly simplified in design and construction. Only three weighted units are now employed, and owing to the leverage provided the weights are much lighter than in the previous Newton clutch. Furthermore, it is found necessary to use only a single plate of the new type described. This clutch is used in conjunction with the self-changing gearbox by several manufacturers, notably by Riley and Crossley. Image Caption: Showing how the dished spring-steel washers are fitted. They ensure smooth engagement. Patentees and Manufacturers NEWTON and BENNETT, Ltd. VALETTA ROAD - ACTON, LONDON, W.3 Telephone : Shepherds Bush 2372 Telegrams: "Newsorber, Act., London" MANCHESTER - 35, KING STREET WEST Telephone : Blackfriars 7122 Telegrams: "Garage, Manchester" The Motor THE NATIONAL MOTOR JOURNAL TUESDAYS 4D. OF ALL BOOKSTALLS AND NEWSAGENTS Temple Press Ltd., 5-17, Rosebery Avenue, E.C.1. | ||