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).
Bump testing Woodheads 12.5% road springs, detailing failure rates and comparisons.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 72\3\ scan0120 | |
| Date | 11th September 1924 | |
| R.R. 493A (40 H) (SL 42 12-7-23). J.H., D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} EXPERIMENTAL REPORT. Expl. No. REF: Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}4/LG11.9.24. Handwritten notes: x9410, Y4429 To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to CJ. BJ. c. to RG.{Mr Rowledge} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} ROAD SPRINGS. Woodheads 12½% springs. We are running on the bump test, Woodheads 12½% springs. The first springs which were available were those having the top plate .285" thick. This is the plate which Woodheads themselves recommend. The results so far are that one front spring has run for 23 hrs, the top plate then failed near the centre sheath. The other front spring ran for 22 hrs. after which time the bottom plate broke. This was replaced, it then ran for a total of 27 hrs., and the 2nd. and 3rd. plates broke. These are being replaced as the top plate is still intact. The average for these two springs is considerably higher than we obtained with the 12½% Firths springs on the bump rig. The failures of the top plates which occurred in France are in a similar position on the plate as the average of those which failed on the bump rig, so therefore it would appear that the front brakes have little, if anything, to do with the failures of the front springs. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||