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).
Article from 'The Motor' magazine describing the latest Borg and Beck single-disc clutch.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 128\2\ scan0110 | |
| Date | 27th January 1931 | |
| January 27, 1931. 1209 The Motor 3 THE LATEST BORG AND BECK SINGLE-DISC CLUTCH Interesting Type which is Becoming Increasingly Popular. An Ingenious Use of Pressed-steel Parts ALTHOUGH it is seldom that motorcar components achieve any degree of fame, there are certain parts made by specialists which have become familiar to most motorists. One of these is the Borg and Beck clutch which, after having had a long run of success on American cars, is now becoming increasingly popular amongst British manufacturers. For this reason it is probable that arrangements will shortly be made to build the clutch in England. Wide Range of Types. Various types are available covering a wide range of requirements and car sizes. Of these the most recent represents an interesting and ingenious adaptation of pressed-steel parts, combined with every care to achieve the best possible performance. Thus, a smooth pick-up, flexible drive, ease of operation, adequate heat dissipation and, of course, absence of slip, have all been most carefully considered. Furthermore, the weight of the parts that spin when the clutch is disengaged is very small, so facilitating changes of gear. Three withdrawal levers of stiff U-section are employed, and these are also steel pressings. They are pivoted on cross-pins fitted to eye-bolts secured to the cover and extending into guide-holes formed in the pressure plate. The inner ends of the levers engage with a withdrawal ring surrounding the shaft, and here and at the fulcrum points ingenious springs are used to clip the parts together. The steel withdrawal ring which operates the levers is acted upon by a second ring consisting of moulded carbon-graphite, whenever the pedal is depressed. This needs no lubrication and is found to give more durable and more silent service than the customary thrust race. When the inner ends of the levers are pressed towards the engine in this way, the outer ends exert a force in the opposite direction upon the pressure plate, so retracting it against the springs and freeing the driving disc. A special feature of the driving disc is found in the way in which it is divided by radial saw-cuts into sectors. Each of these sectors is crimped, so that a gradual pick-up of load is obtained as the sectors are flattened by spring pressure when the clutch is engaged. Another special feature which can be obtained if desired is a flexible centre for the driving disc, which is found to be very effective in respect of smoothing out torsional vibrations of the engine. The splined hub is provided with six radial arms fitting in a housing riveted to the disc. A component made of moulded rubber fits between these parts, so that the drive is conveyed without metal-to-metal contact. Clearance is provided into which the rubber flows when compressed. These clutches, in common with many other interesting components, are handled in Europe exclusively by Automotive Products, Ltd., Brock House, Langham Street, W.1. This neat clutch fits against a flat-surfaced flywheel, and the parts are enclosed by a pressed-steel cover in which are formed nine recesses to accommodate the clutch springs. The springs operate upon a pressure plate which nips the linings (carried by the driving disc) against the flywheel face when the clutch is disengaged. The pressure plate is located at three points. We must mention in passing that the bolts on which the levers fulcrum are set and locked at the factory, and it is not intended that the owner should adjust them. Any adjustment which may be necessitated by wear of the linings must be done at the pedal. Diagram Labels: Top Right Diagram: FLYWHEEL, WITHDRAWAL LEVER, DISC, FLEXIBLE CENTRE, THRUST WASHER, SPIGOT BEARING, COVER, SPRINGS. Bottom Left Diagram: MOULDED RUBBER, RIVETED TO DISC, SPLINED HUB. Diagram Captions: Top Right Diagram: The clutch in part section, showing the principal parts. Bottom Left Diagram: (Left) The central portion of the driving disc is not directly connected to the splined hub. Torque is conveyed through moulded rubber, which is effective in absorbing engine vibrations. A GOOD CAR POLISH. NO motorist really enjoys cleaning a car if he has to slave away at the job, rubbing for all he is worth in order to get any good results. Every owner-driver, who has little time to spare to maintain his car, likes to get the job done as quickly as possible. That is why the Oronite Auto polish will appeal to him. To get a really good polish does not involve vigorous rubbing; having hosed off any mud Oronite is applied to the dried coach-work on a mutton cloth, rubbed over as large an area as one can conveniently cover. When nearly dry, a slight rubbing with a clean cloth produces the desired effect—a durable, high gloss. It is a very good polish indeed, and can be used for lacquered, enamelled or cellulose-finished surfaces. It is sold in pint bottles at 4s. each by Delapena and Son, Ltd., Bush House, Aldwych, W.C.2, and by many garages. E25 | ||