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).
Future brake designs, including considerations for independent suspension and hydraulic systems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\5\ scan0299 | |
| Date | 9th March 1936 | |
| To By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale} C. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} C. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} C. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} C. Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Mv. Spare 1260 also 1029 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale}3/WH.9.3.36. BRAKES - FUTURE DESIGNS. The design of brakes must take into account the need for the following features :- (1) Independent Suspension. (2) A light pedal pressure (100 lbs. should lock wheels) (3) A powerful, well made, mechanical Hand Brake. (4) A brake ratio front/rear equal to 1.2 approx. (5) Interchangeable parts between various chassis. (1) Independent Suspension has complicated the design of mechanically operated front brakes to such an extent that we cannot simplify the rod layout as much as we would like, no matter what brakes we use. Moreover a rod system is not flexible, that is, modifications to suspension often necessitate rather drastic changes in the brakes. Hydraulic front brakes are the obvious solution to the problem, even the Girling brake people, the protagonists of mechanically operated brakes are developing a hydraulic system. We will have to start building B.III one year hence with mechanical front brakes, but we do not think this should be considered a final design and as soon as possible B.III should have hydraulic front brakes suitable for B.50. (2) If brakes are to be first class, a servo is essential if the modern demand for a light pedal pressure is to be satisfied. American brakes, when new, satisfy the customer but the deterioration is rapid and considerable: we have ripped off an Oldsmobile brake lining and the Packard has the worst brakes we have ever experienced. The line to work on here is the development of a | ||