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).
The trial of a return spring in the steering column, assessing its impact on self-centering and steering weight.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\R\2October1927-November-1927\ 112 | |
| Date | 7th November 1927 | |
| ORIGINAL. To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}✓ Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}6/LG7.11.27. Y8430 /Y2430 RETURN SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. We have tried out the return spring in the steering column. This gave 5 lbs. return loading on full lock either side. The difficulty with this type of spring is that it does not give any self centering when the steering wheel is turned a small amount from the central position. This is the condition where we require the most selective steering for high speed work and where stability in the central position is most desirable. With our present pivot lean of 2 1/2° backwards we obtain adequate self centering on large locks. The return spring makes the steering slightly heavy on full lock. At the moment therefore we do not think this will be a very desirable feature. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/W. A.{Mr Adams} Rowbotham. | ||