Improved Suspension for Twin Rear Axles
Page 54
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A Résumé of Patent Specifications that have Recently been Published
A DESIGN of rear bogie which can, riit is claimed, conform with twisting action in all directions, without imparting it to the vehicle, is described by R. Wood _Whittle, E. Twemlow, and Fodens, Ltd., Elworth Works, Sandbach, Cheshire, in patent No. 419,475.
In this design, the springs are centrally pivoted about a shaft (4) on the chassis, and, instead of being firmly gripped on the axle tubes, are inserted in loops (1) having considerable clearance therein. This scheme necessitates the use of torque rods (3) pivoted on to the axle tubes.
The method of attaching these torque rods to the central member is interesting. Each rod is screwed into a threaded boss (2), no locking means being provided. The result of this system is that the torque rods are free to rotate, and, in so doing, adapt themselves to the twisting of the axle caused by uneven road surfaces.
A Torque-controlled Gearbox.
PATENT No. 409,251 describes a form of gearbox in which the various ratios are selected by the interaction of the driving torque and the driven torque. The inventor is C. H. Richards, 173, Harvard Avenue, Boston, Mass, U.S.A. The gearbo4 itself is substantially of normal design, the self. changing effect depending upon a special form of clutch that is used as a coupling for the elements of each ratio.
The drawing shows a section of this clutch, the outer casing (1) being the driving element, whilst the driven member is a slotted ring (4) containing a number of rollers (3). The inner cam-ring (2) is free to rotate independently of both driving and driven members, being controlled entirely by the rollers.
When the outer ring drives, the rollers are turned, and, climbing up the slope of the cam, lock the whole assembly into a solid drive. If the drive be increased beyond a certain torque, the device will, it is claimed, be disconnected by the rollers returning to their free positions. Just how this occurs is not made clear, but, to quote 44/
the specification "the driving connection is effected when the torques are in steady balance and disrupted when the resistance torque exceeds the driving torque . . . ."
The principle used in the gearbox is to take the drive through a number of these clutches in series, each controlling a different gear ratio, and arranged so that as a higher gear is overcome, the next lower automatically comes into operation and transmits the drive.
Further Improvements in Injection 'Pumps.
DATENT No, 419,510 refers to the 1 type of pump in which the necessary force for injection is supplied by the engine compression acting on a small piston. The claims made for the design are based mainly on the method of control. The patentee is V. Archaouloff, of 1, Rue Carnot, Boulogne-sur-Seine, France.
In the drawing, 3 is the pump plunger, delivering fuel via pipe 1 to the injection nozzle (7). On the same rod as the plunger a piston (6) is formed, the cylinder of which is in communication with the compression space of the engine.
The control mechanism comprises a lever (4), the position of which is varied by an eccentric spindle (5). This lever serves to limit the downward movement of the plunger, and thus regulates the quantity of fuel drawn into the pump from the inlet (2).
Progress in All-steel Bodies.
FURTHER improvements in the design of all-steel bodies are shown in patent No. 411,231, by the Pressed Steel Co. of Great Britain, Ltd., and cthers, of Cowley, Oxford. The object is to provide a design resembling the normal composite construction, yet with the advantage of the all-steel type.
The drawing shows the nature of the invention, which deals with the construction of the upright body posts (1) ; these are formed in one piece with what is termed a " threshold " portion (6). This threshold is attached by welding to a sill member (4) having a flange (5) for bolting-down purposes, and a step (3) for the reception of the floor of the vehicle. The door (shown in dotted lines at 2) considerably overlaps the floor ; the advantages claimed for this construction are more runningboard room for the passengers when alighting, and increased resistance to draughts and weather conditions.