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 The Westinghouse Air Spring Co. proposing a trial of their new 'Highway' model air spring suspension.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 43\3\ Scan011 | |
Date | 27th April 1926 | |
H1000 The Westinghouse Air Spring Co. GENERAL OFFICES NEW HAVEN, CONN. NEW YORK PHILADELPHIA PITTSBURGH BOSTON ATLANTA SAN FRANCISCO CHICAGO DETROIT CLEVELAND LOS ANGELES New Haven, Connecticut April 27, 1926 Rolls-Royce, Ltd., Derby, England. Att: Mr. E.W. Hives, Chief Experimental Engr. Gentlemen: We have had some correspondence with your Springfield plant relative to interesting them from an experimental standpoint in our new type Westinghouse Air Spring suspension which is primarily designed for front end equipment. Your Mr. Olley has referred us to you and we take pleasure in sending you under separate cover in addition to some descriptive literature on this new spring, also some photographs showing its application to a few American-made cars. This new Air Spring of ours that we refer to as the Highway model, is somewhat different in its construction and appearance from the type that we have manufactured for high-priced pleasure cars during the past 14 years. First of all, it is a more compact unit; secondly, it is so constructed that it is usually possible to install it on a car without cutting the frame; thirdly, it requires very little attention so far as adjustment of air pressure, lubrication, etc. Dust boots protect the lower part of the piston rod which would otherwise be exposed to the elements. As to its attractiveness on a car we refer you to the illustrations, and please note the provision for attaching a spring bumper. We, of course, know that the Rolls-Royce car represents the best that can be offered to the prospective buyer, and this also includes easy riding qualities. This Air Spring, however, installed as it is, not like a snubber but as supplementary air suspension, not only serves the purpose that a snubber does, that is to check the recoil of the steel springs, but also cushions the initial shock and in doing so not only eliminates vibrations to the frame but also relieves the steel spring itself from the work that it would otherwise be required to do. Our purpose in writing this letter is to obtain your sanction to allow us the opportunity of installing an experimental set free of charge on one of your test jobs, preferably in this country. Even though the results would not be immediately productive of orders, we nevertheless believe that it would be well worth your while to investigate and determine by | ||