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).
Steering performance, discussing geometry, stability, and various pivot configurations.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 9\7\ 07-page069 | |
| Date | 22th September 1926 | |
| -2- Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/LG22.9.26. sensation of stability, and as previously stated, the immunity from road shocks is very good. When negotiating very sharp bends at any speed, the steering becomes heavy apparently owing to the fact that the geometry of the steering is incorrect on a lock i.e., the Ackerman affect is not obtained in this experimental rig-up. Under these circumstances, the tyres can be heard scrubbing on the road. The general inferences to be drawn on this test are:- (1) Light shunting steering can be obtained with a vertical pivot, and quite an appreciable amount out of centre. (2) Transverse vertical pivots necessitate more backward pivot lean to obtain self centering unless some other means is employed. (3) Out of centre point steering gives a feel of stability at high speeds, and considerable immunity from road shocks. It does not however have any marked affect on high speed wobbles. It should be borne in mind, when comparing this axle with the standard, that its transverse moment of inertia is somewhat greater than standard, owing to the vertical pivot and wheel. This, in itself, is conducive to high speed wobbles. We are unable to obtain any signs of low speed wobbles. Vertical pivot axle with standard bearings centre point steering with disc wheels 6.2" balloon tyres. With this arrangement the steering is agreeably light | ||