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 advantages of a parallel control axle system for the 45HP 'X' Series vehicle.
| Identifier | Morton\M3.5\ img040 | |
| Date | 9th May 1925 | |
| TO C.J. R.J. WOR{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} EY. LUS RG.{Mr Rowledge} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} PN.{Mr Northey} FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} SECRET R3/M9.5.25. 45HP - 'X' SERIES. Handwritten: K5770 (crossed out) Handwritten: HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Handwritten: X5420 / Y5770 PARALLEL CONTROL OF AXLES TO MAKE IT STILL MORE LIKE 20HP. (These papers are to be sent to C.J. confidentially, to be distributed if, and when, he thinks proper. They indicate the chassis work in hand. There is little now to do to the 20HP which seems satisfactory.) ADVANTAGES. (1) Torque reaction dithers due to backward drive and forward braking are overcome - make more effective braking. (2) Transmission knocks avoided. (3) Fabric engine coupling has longer life, and less need for fabric coupling. (4) Lighter back axle. (5) Improved sideways control to the rear of car. (6) Lower frame. (7) Constant angular velocity of the road wheels - (probably improved tyre wear.) (8) Rear of frame is a stiffer base for the body. (9) Admits of an underframe without raising the floor to 3". (10) Permits of a good design of battery in the frame. (11) Automatically provides a protection for the petrol tank. (12) Spare wheel can be carried at the rear. (13) A strong luggage carrier can be readily designed. (14) Drawbars are not needed. (Diagonal stays to sphere.) There is one cross member less, and the rear of chassis is cleaned up. (15) Improved road holding qualities. (16) Total weight and cost reduced. (17) [Handwritten note in margin: Independent items, but much more economical at same time] Increase track to 58", increasing width of radiator and with increased depth - i.e. 1" each way, fan increased from 23" to 24" gives a gain of 10% of both radiator and fan. A little may be more than we think: HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} believes EAC. will as 'V' Series be a great improvement. (18) Front axle changed to new 20HP. type. P.T.O PS by CJ. The proposed increased track would delete electrical equipment for Colonial work, and would involve the diesel engine and possibly the back axle, but I should like to include items 17 & 18. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||