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).
Shortcomings of braking systems, engine vibrations, and competitor vehicles.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\J\April1923\ Scan14 | |
| Date | 28th April 1924 | |
| ORIGINAL SECRET. R1/M28.4.24. TO E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} & D.A. FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy to - CJ. WGR. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} A.{Mr Adams} C. X9770 X4214 X9550 X1013 I think you did well in finding the short-comings of our and Hispano brakes at close quarters. Regarding vacation I am sure CJ. and we all appreciate your and those at W's wisdom and goodness in putting off your extra holiday until a little later. I have all along thought that the close brak-ing for shunting and traffic was the great point that these and especially DE3.6S. was weak in. It was not in original conversion scheme. One now rather feels that we must try the ratchet where it will make the distance lag least, and where it can have many pairs of pawls. This is the scheme I sent through yesterday, and I send herewith sketch of pawls section carefully milled to shape and sawn off shy .35 wide lengths for 6 or 12 pawls of tough alloy steel, which was at one time in hand. Fortunately any of the schemes experience is showing necessary are easily applied to existing servo etc with inexpensive modifications, except my double ratch-et drive, (which would not be Hispano free if their patent is good) which goes further than Hispano, and can have high speed drive backwards which would be a great improvement. I am not proposing we do any-thing further than provisionally patenting it at pres-ent, but when time permits it might have a test made as we could get over the patent question. I presume that some of the work you propose to do before you go away applies to EAC. engine, as regards:- (1) Over-running vibrations. (2) Detonations. Michelins are now visiting Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence, and I have let them put two 40.HP. Renaults in our garage, one of these (1922 model) has front wheel brakes which the driver thinks fine - separate gearbox and servo -). This one especially is very like RR. 40/50 but they have long stroke, so should be worse than our E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} A.{Mr Adams} C. I thought we must have effective direct foot pressure but you now say if servo acts it must act promptly. Renault has magneto ignition only, overhead inlet valve, enclosed valves, but no loose head. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||