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).
Potential improvements to car intake/exhaust silencers and steering systems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 17\4\ Scan028 | |
| Date | 14th April 1932 | |
| HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/RM.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} } FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} E.DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} } (AT Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) X7430 B4/WD.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead}2.4.32. Sent from WW. 14.4.32. C. to SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} PN.{Mr Northey} X7230 X5230 X7430 X1433 CAR WORK. INTAKE & EXHAUST SILENCERS. Now that HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/RM.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} has returned from the States I think that it would be good for him to concentrate on silencing the exhaust and inlet systems of our cars by the method he found so effective in USA., and which results in such little exhaust losses. Mr.Elliott will be able to do the necessary work for HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/RM.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} to experiment with. STEERING. In parallel with the above he might experiment with any modifications to the steering that seem possible to apply without serious alterations. I understand that the large motor-buses here are now very light on the steering. Several years ago I got Mr.Hardy to supply designs for a larger worm,because it would have a rather less reversible angle of thread, and also it would be less liable for the oil film to be sqeezed out,(more consistency,) but it was not considered by the Experimental Dept. to be so good. I did not at the time think this decision reasonable, but had no alternative. We have now decided on the flexible shackle idea, but I do not know the theoretical reason why this is an improvement, except that the gyrostatic theory of the road shock is wrong or exaggerated, and that it is the direct road shock which one feels. Will HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} kindly ask Mr. Grylls or someone to say if the gyrostatic action can be reduced by the fore and aft movement of the pivot - i.e. if the point of reaction gives way the motion would be reduced, but I am very shaky on this, because any gyrostat seems to work if held freely in the hands. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||