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).
To Mr. Maurice Olley detailing the reliability and advantages of American-built instruments over French ones.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 25\2\ Scan131 | |
| Date | 31th January 1927 guessed | |
| Mr. Maurice Olley. -5- During the past six years we have been building instruments and we would say that the ones built during the first year were not worth their weight in scrap. However, they have been improved to such an extent that for the past three years our instrument service has amounted to less than one instrument per thousand. We have sets out which have covered over 200,000 miles and have thousands of original letters of endorsement in our files from satisfied owners. Fully 75% of the Houdailles used in America today are the result of customers recommending them to their friends. The strength of the working parts in the American made instrument is approximately 400% stronger than the French instrument. The particular advantages of the American built instruments are: That no springs are used in the instrument, the weakening or breaking of which would stop the instrument from functioning. No blow off valves are used to protect the weak construction. The greatest resistance in the instrument is required when the springs are fully compressed and when the greatest load is thrown on them. At that time the instrument should offer greatest possible resistance. Due to our method of controlling fluids - there is no churning or mixing of air which reduces the resistance or actually stops the functioning. Due to our method of collecting the fluid in the replenishing chamber, the normal supply will carry the instrument 20,000 to 30,000 miles without refilling. Double acting effect can be controlled. We have a bearing on three sides of the piston as well as along the shaft. There is no perceptible wear on the instrument even after thousands of miles of use. The pressure is balanced on both sides of the piston eliminating all thrust in the instrument. An air cushion is provided for boulevard and comparatively smooth roads. Universal neutral point, i.e. a neutral range irrespective of load carried by the car, can be built into the instrument if desired. | ||