Rolls-Royce Archives
         « Prev  Box Series  Next »        

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).
From EFC to Rg discussing the 'Aspden' flywheel dynamotor and the potential of electrical systems in motor cars.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 61\2\  scan0190
Date  7th September 1921
  
X.3374

To Rg.{Mr Rowledge} from EFC.

EFC4/T7.9.21.

X.3374 - THE "ASPDEN" FLYWHEEL DYNAMOTOR.

In answer to your Rg{Mr Rowledge}5/W6.9.21, I have often thought that present practice in the application of electric starter and dynamo equipment to motor cars (also the application of electrical machinery for transmission purposes) is a long way from finality, so that in my mind considerable advantages are possible in the application of these, if the design is thoroughly well carried out and is an integral part of the whole mechanism.

I am, therefore, of the opinion that apparatus such as the Aspden flywheel dymotor may have considerable possibilities, though it seems to me, for the best job, such a unit should be designed as an integral part of the chassis mechanism; also that the idea of first converting the energy from the battery into mechanical kinetic energy and using this in the main to give the initial impulse to the engine is a good one on principle, and I see no reason why this should impose very much more duty on the clutch than it is called upon to perform in the ordinary way.

In regard to electrical transmission systems, such as the Owen-magnetic and others, it has here always seemed to me that for finality in the luxury car, such a system, if designed on the very best lines, would result in the very last word, and I am not a little surprised

Contd.
  
  


Copyright Sustain 2025, All Rights Reserved.    whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble
An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙