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).
Testing and implementation of adjustable shock dampers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 151\2\ scan0099 | |
| Date | 11th October 1933 | |
| To Wor. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} From Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to C. c. to R. {Sir Henry Royce} c. to Hy. {Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} c. to Ds. c. to Hdy. {William Hardy} c. to FN. ADJUSTABLE SHOCK DAMPERS. We met FN. in London yesterday and carried out tests on 25-KX. Expl. Limousine with low rating springs and fitted with our proposed scheme of adjustable dampers. We also had Sg {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} 's. car 104-MY. which is fitted with a similar scheme. FN. also brought along a Sales Demonstration Car fitted with low rating springs and telecontrol. The road conditions and the weather conditions were such that it was very difficult for FN. to arrive at a definite value. Experimentally we have been running adjustable dampers for about two years. We have done about 10,000 miles on the scheme as fitted to Sg {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} 's. car and 25-KX. We are satisfied that it is a very definite advance over our present standard cars. We think it is an advance over any scheme fitted to any other makes of cars. We do not expect that we have reached the millennium of springing by means of adjustable dampers but we are certain it is a step forward and will reduce considerably our troubles in service. We think it is essential before any conclusions are arrived at that the car should be given a very long run over varying road conditions. It was agreed some time ago that the Works should put in hand 25 sets of the material for adjustable dampers so that as soon as it was standardised it could be got on to the cars without delay. The 25 sets are now nearly ready and the Works are waiting for a decision from us as regards when these parts are to be used up. We very much want to get the adjustable dampers going on the P.11 so that we can fit a similar scheme on to the 25 HP. In the case of the 25 H. {Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} whilst we stick to the present standard carburetter we shall need the mixture control on the column and therefore we shall not have room for the shock absorber control on the steering wheel. We think one of the chief virtues of our proposed scheme is the finger light control on the steering column and it would be a pity if we had to depart from this on the 25 HP. if we go ahead with the new carburetter which we | ||