Leyland Investigating Rear engine Possibilities
Page 45
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
WE learn that Leyland Motors, Ltd., Ham Works, Kingston, Surrey, is interesting itself in a design of chassis in which the power unit is mounted at the rear, and has recently taken out a patent (No. 453,062, in the names of Leyland Motors, Ltd., and H. Kirkham) covering such an arrangement.
The main object, in the case of both goods and passenger vehicles, is to make use of the available apace in the most economical manner, but more especially where the schem6 is adapted to rear-4entraiace passenger chassis. Layouts with internal-combustion engines, or electric traction motors, are described in the specification., and possible arrangements include a power. unit mounted longitudinally outside the frame on one side or on each. side, or a transverse unit at the rear of the frame.
In the accompanying 'plan drawings' it will be observed that one or bath of the flame side members is given art inward set at the rear, and that the power unit occupies the space thus obtained. Power is transmitted from the back end of the engine to a gearbox or torque converter lying alongside, whi:st a propeller shaft, incor porating the usual universal joints, connects, with the rear axle.
In the ease of the twin-engine arrangement the transmission is duplicaked, each driving through a differential, or' thchgeaf,ed toone rear Wheel independently.
To carry the weight of the engine, twocross-membersare extended beyond the in-set Iongitudina:s, providing brackets upon which rest, or from which are slung, the front and mar, ends of the engine.
With a rear entrance, only one power unit, on the off side, is, af course, practicable. It will project Upward but slightly inta the interior: of the