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).
Flexible engine mounting and improving the smoothness of the dry clutch operation by evaluating different materials and designs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 104\1\ scan0157 | |
| Date | 13th June 1934 | |
| X5005 To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} HUY. EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} [text 'By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} HUY.' is struck through] Flexible Engine Mounting. Referring to HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}9/KW.11.6.34, the conclusions reached with regard to the clutch are extremely interesting, but the question of making a more smoothly operating dry clutch appears to resolve itself into how much this is influenced by design and how much by the nature of the friction material employed. We rather understand that materials giving smooth engagement are not good for wear or heat, and we doubt whether the Chrysler material would stand up to the duty expected on our chassis where the provision of a synchro-mesh 3rd provokes severe treatment of the clutch, more particularly under driving conditions in this country. We should like to obtain some of the Chrysler material and test it against our own. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} has pointed out to the Experimental Department that J.3. chassis is equipped with an RR. scheme of compensated clutch operation, and this has elicited the information that the clutch on this car is notably smooth, but was previously bad before the anchorage direct from pedal to engine was fitted. We did consider however this scheme for the 20/25 but we felt that an independent anchorage of the engine in any case was called for to resist the displacement of the unit arising from the forces set up by the brake gear, and the pumping of the transmission. Experiments to determine whether this is really so could be carried out and would be most valuable as in the event of a favourable conclusion the J.3. scheme could be applied to 20/25, Bentley and P.II . E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||