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).
Letter from Adamant Engineering regarding the design of a steering column, specifically the addition of friction using multi-shims.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 28\3\ Scan029 | |
| Date | 13th October 1934 | |
| Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd. Contd 2. 13.10.34. phosphor bronze bearings which we have standardised. As regards the adding of friction to the Steering Column, we have no experience with an arrangement on the lines suggested in your letter, but we would add that in previous designs of the Marles Gear, we have had plain thrust bearings at either end of the Cam in the place of the roller bearings now incorporated in the L7 Gear. These plain thrust bearings were used for the purpose of lowering the efficiency, although their action would probably be some different to the design suggested by you. We found, however, that there are disadvantages in applying friction to the Cam and Inner Column shaft, and friction for this purpose, we think, should be applied to the rockenshaft for preference. It is partly for this reason that in the L7 type of gear, of which you have received a sample, we fit multi washers between the rockenshaft shoulder and the boss of the box. These multi shims are shewn in the general arrangement drawing GA.2325, a copy of which we enclose herewith and numbered P.2200. By the inclusion of these multi shims we are able to pull up the Screw P.2147, and introduce friction at this point. We note that you have not yet had this L7 gear on the road, but that very shortly it will be, and we shall be extremely interested to hear from you after testing it on the road, and particularly after further efficiency tests. In the meantime we shall be glad to hear as to whether you would like the writer to either come up and see you at your Works at Derby, or make an appointment to meet you at the Show, where he already has an appointment with your Mr. Day at your Stand on Tuesday next at 2 p.m. Assuring you of our best attention at all times, We are, Yours faithfully, for ADAMANT ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED. [Signature] Director. | ||