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).
Results of tests conducted on two types of Phantom clutches on a test bed.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 13\7\ 07-page073 | |
| Date | 19th September 1930 | |
| For Files. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}19.9.30. X. 7480. X. 7305. PHANTOM CLUTCH. We have now finished the tests with both types of Phantom clutches on the Test Bed. The last test has been with a clutch with the fabric on the plate 450 tests at 1000 engine revs and 450 tests at 2000 engine revs., the total slipping engagements being 900. The condition of the pressure plate is very good, there are no signs of any cracks and the friction surface is free from any tearing or roughing up. The back plate has distorted, dished inwards .006" otherwise the surface is in good condition. The driving plate and the circular woven fabric is in a very good condition. The pressure springs do not shew any failures through heat. The faults during the test have been - the tightening up of the pressure plate, this has been experienced during road tests; also at speed the centrifugal action tightens up the freedom of the pressure plate. The actual results of the tests for condition prove that there is very little difference in the two designs of the clutches but as proved out on the road the present standard design is entirely free from troubles whereas the driven fabric seizes up frequently and is subject to centrifugal action making the clutch heavy to disengage at speed. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} | ||