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The Specialist Touch

Outstanding Exhibits by component Makers : New Developments in Transmission and Suspension Systems

One of the many new products to he exhibited by Self-changing Gears, Ltd., on Stand 435 will he an air-operated five-speed gearbox, the control being of a type that has been proved in service over a number of years.

0 . PER ATORS who intend to visit the Show know that they will be met on the accessory stands by experts who will understand their problems in detail and that their recommendations will be based on practical considerations. Although this year, as at past shows, the displays on some of the stands will not materially differ from previous exhibit; there will be new applications to discuss, and the producer or operator will be able to learn a great deal about present trends and plans for the fature:

It is axiomatic that the echo of the industry's pulse is more clearly heard in the talk on the component makers' stands than in any other parts of Earls Court. Although not included in the list of component manufacturers, a famous company of vehicle builders will be a welcome newcomer to their railks. As announced in the August 31 issue of The Commercial Motor, Transport Vehicles (Daimler), Ltd., will be displaying vertical and horizontal versions of .the Daimler 650 10.6-litre engine (on Stand 73) which is being offered as a propriemry Unit for use in both .passenger and goods vehicles.

Belgium Orders Daimler

This is the first time that a Daimler oil engine has been made available to other vehicle makers, and it is significant that a large order has been obtained from a Belgian concern, who will be supplied with 50 vertical units.

The 650 engine develops 150 b.h.p. at /,000 r.p.m. and a maximum torque of 460 lb.-ft. at 1,000 r.p.m., the corresponding b.m.e.p. figure being 105 psi. It is the type that is employed in many of the company's double-decker and Freeline chassis.

The CDCS630 six-cylindered oil engine, to be exhibited on Stand 317 by Henry Meadows, Ltd., has the distinction of being the first proprietary engine to be equipped with a turbocharger, and as such will be one of the most interesting units at the Show. The blower is an Eberspacher water-cooled type which raises the output from 130 c54 b.h.p. at 1,900 r.p.m. to 185 b.h.p. at the same speed, arid the maximum torque from 420 lb.-ft. at 1,000 r.p.m. to 540 lb.-ft. at 1,300 r.p.m. Maintenance will be facilitated by a replacement scheme by which the blower can be exchanged at a low cost for a reconditioned unit after 30,000 miles.

Introduced earlier this month, the 6DC500 six-cylindered unit has the satne bore and stroke as the 4DC330 four-cylindered engine of 120 mm., and develops 135 b.h.p. at 2,400 r.p.m. and a maximum torque of 346 lb.-ft. at 1,400 r.p.m. The Mk. 2 version of the 4DC330, having an output of 90 b.h.p. at 2,400 r.p.m., will be shown for the first time, in both vertical and horizontal forms, the power developed being 5 b.h.p. higher than its predecessor.

Rolls-Royce Engines • Of the exhibits to , be displayed by Rolls-Royce, Ltd., on Stand 436, the oil engines include a horizontal version of the six-cylindered normally aspirated unit, known as the C.6 N.F.H., which has been specially developed for underfloor installation in goods and passenget vehicles and has an output of up to 200 b.h.p. at 2,000 r.p.m, The four-cylinderecl and eight-eylindered normally aspirated units will also be displayed, and petrol engines will include the four-, sixand eightcylindered types.

Unchanged from the 1954 Show, the oil engines to be shown on Stand 298 by Norris, Henty and Gardners, Ltd., cover a range of outputs from 57 b.h.p. at 2,100 r.p.m., which is the rating of the 4LK, to 150 b.h.p. at 1,700 r.p.m., the latter being the power produced by the 8LW. The 6LW, with an output of 112 b.h.p. at 1,700 r.p.m., will be exhibited in vertical and horizontal forms.

The 41W, which has a rating of 75 b.h.p. at 1,700 r.p.m., will also appear on the stand as well as the 5LW, the latter having an output of 94 b.h.p. at 1,700 r.p.m. All the engines have the same bore of 41 in. and stroke of 6 in., except the 4LK; this has a 3.i-in, bore and a 51-in. stroke.

Bore and stroke dimensions Of respectively 31 in. and 5 in. are common to all the oil engines produced by F. Perkins, Ltd. (which will be exhibited on Stand 438) with the exception of the R6, which has a 4 in. bore and 6 in, stroke, and, with an output of 102 b.h.p. at 2,400 r.v.m. is the most powerful of the units produced. At the other end of the scale. the P3 threecylindered oil engine develops 36.5 b.h.p. at 2,000 r.p.m., whilst the P4 has a rating of 55 b.h.p. at the same speed.

The three-cylindered . two-stroke engine, developing 60 b.h.p. at 3,000 r.p.m., which will be shown by the Turner Manufacturing Co., Ltd., alongside the two-cylindered 40-b.h.p. model of the same bore and stroke on Stand 391, can now be supplied with conversion kits for installation in Bedford 20-25-cwt. A.2 normal-control chassis and 25-30-cwt. K.Z. chassis. Both engines are available with kits for fitting into Land-Rover chassis.

Transmissions and Suspension The way in which component exhibits can be indicative of vehicle design trends may, this year, particularly apply to transmission units and suspension systems. To meet the demands of both operators and drivers, many vehicle designers have forecast that gearbox control will have to In simplified, or made automatic, and that it will be necessary to improve suspension characteristics.

A fully automatic four-speed gearbox will be displayed by Hobbs Transmission, Ltd., on Stand 274, which will be given added interest by the news that the gearbox has been successfully applied to a light-delivery vehicle. The fact that it is now produced by the Daimler company for the industry will give operators confidence, not only that development troubles have been overcome but that the subject of maintenance has been given close consideration.

The epicyclic gears are controlled by a series of wet-plate clutches and brakes, and there are no pumping losses to reduce efficiency on the road or cause unnecessary drag when the engine is idling.

One of the outstanding characteristics of the Hobbs transmission—that manual control can be employed when required—is shared by the, fully automatic epicyclic gearbox with the new V.S. electrical control, which will be displayed by Self-Changing Gears, Ltd., on Stand 435, and demonstrated by a Leyland bus loaned by Glasgow Corporation.

First Appearance All the other transmission units on the stand will also be shown for the first time, a particularly interesting display being the R.V.30 eight-speed epicyclic gearbox for heavy commercial vehicles, which is air-operated and is fitted with a C.28 electrical control. An air-operated five-speed gearbox and a hydraulically actuated unit with an inbuilt pump will be included in the exhibits, also.a new fluid dutch with a centrifugal coupling that provides positive drive at higher speeds.'

The principle of a new torque converter is based on the Schneider system, which has been used with great success for Diesel-locomotive transmissions in America.

Interesting comparisons may be made between the fully automatic three-speed gearbox produced by Borg-Warner, Ltd., to he shown on Stand 314, and the I-Tydromedia three-speed transmission (Stand 428), displayed by Zahnr-alfabrik Friedrichshafen A.G., which can also be adapted to automatic operation. A feature of both units is the use of a torque converter, but wherea§ the former incorporates an epicyclic train of gears, the latter has gears of the conventional constant-mesh type and changes of ratio are made by the action of multi-plate clutches.

Design Comparisons

A friction clutch in the Borg-Warner unit provides a positive drive at higher speeds, and in the ZF gearbox the converter is operative only in bottom gear, so that pumping losses are negligible for normal running conditions. Input and output pumps in the Borg-Warner system are employed to actuate the brakes and plate clutch of the epicyclic train according to speed and torque requirements in a generally similar way to the method used by the Hobbs designers.

The ZF transmission has an electrohydraulic operating mechanism with finger-tip control. If a fully automatic control were employed, manual operation could be restored for use on mountainous routes and slippery roads.

Technical details of the new eightspeed gearbox, which will be displayed by the Moss Gear Co., Ltd., on Stand 235, had been withheld at the time of going ta press because the patent of the principle was still pending. It incorporates an overdrive which can be applied to every one of the four ratios and gear changing is performed hydraulically, so that remote control can easily be provided. . An externalcontracting band brake is a feature of the mechanism.

Transmission units that will be shown by engine makers include a torque converter on the Rolls-Royce stand which is produced by the concern under licence from the Twin Disc Company of U.S.A. and the Meadows 250CS5 five-speed gearbox, which can now be fitted with the well-known Porsche synchromesh mechanism. The latter has a maximum torque rating of 250 lb-ft.

An entirely new exhibit of both transmission and suspension interest will be the half-scale working model of the 32M tandem-drive bogie (shown by Eaton Axles, Ltd., on Stand 310), which will be displayed in addition to two-speed axles for vehicles of 5-6-ton and 7-ton capacity and various transmission assemblies.

The unit is of the swinging-beam type equipped with two conventional differentials, a power divider incorporating a third differential, and four Hendrickson suspension pads acting in compression. A notable optional fitting for some of the models is a differential lock.

To be introduced at the Show on Stand 442 by Kirkstall Forge Engineering, Ltd., a I4-ton front steering axle is an entirely new component and will be exhibited alongside a front-wheel driving-and-steering axle of 7.1-ton capacity (displayed for the first time), a 7-ton front-steering axle and a doubledrive 'hypoid bogie, suitable for loads up to 24 tons. The 14-ton . axle is designed for use with the concern's 30-ton rear axle, whilst the 7+-ton front driving axle is particularly suitable for vehicles fitted with the double-drive hypoid bogie. A 9-ton worm-drive axle will also be exhibited.

Front and rear rubber suspension units will be loaned by the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus company of the type used for the S14 bus for display by Metalastik, Ltd., on Stand 338. The components are normal production units which will later be fitted to one of the 270 buses being equipped with Metalastik suspension. A number of these vehicles has already covered more than 100,000 miles in routine service.

Advantages claimed for the rubber trailer suspension, to be exhibited on Stand 400 by the Bramber Engineering Co., Ltd., include reduced unsprung weight, a saving in first cost, improved damping and anti-roll properties, sound insulation and the elimination of highfrequency vibration. The suspension is based on a Spencer Moulton Flexitor unit, which comprises . a cylindrical rubber bush, stressed in shear.

Laminated, coil-and-disc springs, shown by Jonas Woodhead. and Sons, Ltd., on Stand 270, will be part of an extensive range of . products, which include shock absorbers, dampers and seats.

Although power-assisted steering was first offered to vehicle manufacturers many years ago, its more general adoption in the past 18 months may be regarded as a new development. Manufacturers foresee that it will be increasingly used for both passenger and goods vehicles and have produced auxiliary equipment that provides for a variety of vehicle characteristics.

For example, the hydraulically operated power-steering P.A.S. unit, EC) be exhibited by Girling, Ltd., on Stand 312, car) be supplied with a special rotary valve designed for installation in the steering column when limitations of space and geometry preclude its incorporation in the ram or steering drag link. The valve is particularly suitable for use on multi-wheeled vehicles with four-wheel steering, for it ensures that the steering effort on both is equal and simultaneous.

Both hydraulic and pneumatic powersteering units will be displayed by the Clayton Dewandre Co., Ltd„ on c..57 Stand 440, and anxiiiaries will include two types of steering valve, one of British and one of American design, A special control valve, integral with the steering column, will also be exhibited.

The air-assisted steering unit to be shown by the Westinghouse Brake and Signal Co., Ltd., on Stand 408, will include steering-column mounted, and chassis-mounted controls. The systems are designed to reduce air consumption to a minimum.

A simple jack-type hydraulic servosteering unit will be exhibited (Stand 363) by the Lockheed Hydraulic Brake Co., Ltd., for the first time, the system being readily applicable to existing vehicles without modification of the steering box.

Successful Disc Brakes

The experience of B.M.M.O., this time in connection with brakes, is quoted by Girling technicians to show the advantages of the disc type, many examples of which will be on view at the Show. Over a hundred S14 buses are equipped with Girling disc brakes, and it has been proved that the new segment pad has a alseful life of over 50,000 miles, which compares with that of conventional brake facings.

Necessity of adjustment is eliminated, and the brakes do not squeal. Moreover, they possess the important advantage with regard to maintenance, that the pads can be replaced by one man in one hour, whereas replacing conventional. shoes • occupies two men• eight hours.

Other Girling braking equipment to be shown includes a new automatic adjOster and a full range of heavy-duty brakes and hydraulic components.

A transmission-type heavy-duty discbrake, a 16-in. by 5-in rear brake and heavier two-leading-shoe brakes will be included ie the new products shown by. the Lockheed Hydraulic Brake Co., Ltd.,' on Stand 363. There will also be a new range of master cylinders with plastics tanks.

c.58 The disc of the disc brake is a casting with' air-cobled slots, and the circular pads, which are housed in a rigid caliper, are provided with a simple means for adjustment. The plastics mastercylinder tanks are of transparent polythene, which enables the fluid level to be checked by external observation.

In addition to vacuum, hydraulic and air-pressure braking systems, the Clayton Dewandre concern will exhibit handand foot-controlled versions of .the Clayton-Oetiker exhaust obtura tor brake. The Ashanco exhaust brake will be . shown by . Hallam, Sleigh, and Cheston, Ltd., on Stand 337.

An innovation this year on the Clayton stand will be a display of factory-reconditioned units to mark the introduction of a replacement scheme, which will be started in )957 and will provide for the exchange of worn units for rebuilt components within two days.. Automatic chassis lubricators, heating equipment, heat,exchanger parts and other well-known Clayton products will complete the exhibits.

The concern's new, dual air-brake system, which prevents total loss. of braking in the event of pipe failure, will b,e one of the main displays in this category of the Westinghouse Brake and Signal company, and a notable feature of the Feeny and Johnson. Ltd., exhibits (Stand 395) will be plastics cylinders for vacuum and pressure brakes.

The brake equipment of the former concern will also include their wellknown lightweight unit and special brakes for coaches and trailers, whilst other displays of the latter will corn,prise vacuum-servo power units, various types of control valve for vacuum brakes, an exhauster for oil engines and a quick-detachable air coupling.

Brake and Clutch Facings

A variety of brake-facing materials, in addition to clutch facings, will be shown by Transport Brakes, Ltd., on Stand 327, and by Small and Parkes, Ltd., on Stand 266. The chromidium brake drums to be displayed by the Midland Motor Cylinder Co., Ltd., on Stand 297 are produced from a material which is generally similar to the c,oneern's high-tensile cylinder material.

The design of one of the most highly developed components of the internalcombustion engine, the piston, must keep pace with power-output increases, and this year a piston of outstanding interest will be the new Thermoflow type, to be shown by Specialloid, Ltd., on Stand 350, because it has been evolved to withstand the increased mechanical and thermal loadings in turbocharged engines. The crown, ringbelt and upper skirt sections have been proportioned to provide maximum heat flow, and it has been shown that uncooled Thermollow pistons can operate at a b.m.e.p. of over 220 p.s.i. at 750 r.p.m. Oil-cooled pistons fitted with a Ricardo light-alloy undertray are also to be exhibited, and the new Aero Flexivent oil-control ring will be shown, which exerts a uniform pressure on the cylinder walls.

A feature of the Hepworth and Grandage, Ltd., exhibits (Stand 293) will be the Hepolite K.S.S. two-piece chromium-plated scraper ring, specially developed to improve oil cOntrol over an increased mileage. The pistons displayed by Bricoymo, Ltd., on Stand 344 will include the anti-sludge type for oil engines and a variety of other types in -the Covmo range. Cylinder liners, piston rings and valve inserts will also be' shown by' the' same company. • .Fuel-injection equipment, -fuel alters, and a range of electrical accessories are included in the range of products to be displayed by C.A.V. Ltd„ on Stand 252 and in the exhibits of Simms Motor Units, Ltd., on Stand 245. One of the features of the CA.V. components is the N6 injectionpump with flywheel mechanical governor and diaphragm feed pump.

K.L.G. heater ,plugs and ballast resistors will be included in the exhibits of S. Smith and Sons (England), Ltd., on Stand 251, and heater plugs are also to be displayed (on Stand 247) by Lodge Plugs, Ltd. The Vertex magneto and universal dynamo regulators will be feature exhibits of Scintilla, Ltd., on Stand 441, an important detail of the magneto being a speed-limiting device. . The governor carburetter to be shown by SoIex, Ltd., on Stand 220, will be the concern's main display, the regulator alloWing maximum acceleration but limiting the top speed according to requirement.

An interesting filter demonstration will be staked on Stand 343 by Simmonds Aerocessories, Ltd., the unit being a Fram fuel-water separator, which is one of a wide range of by-pass and full-flow oil. filters,

The centrifugal oil filter that the Glacier Metal Co., Ltd., plan to show on Stand 227 will be additional to a comprehensive display of engine and chassis bearings and bushes, ingots, die castings and soon. .0il and fuel filters produced by tecalemit, Ltd., will be exhibited on Stand 421, together with micro-fine and felt elements.

An Efficient Filter

A new Purolator air filter with an easily replaceable Micronic element is to be shown by the Automotive Products Co., Ltd., on Stand 359. It is claimed that the filter is 99 per cent, efficient.

As well as rubber :spring units, the Metalastik company will be displaying their full range of rubber bushes for suspension systems, engine and cab mountings, shackle pins and so on, and other exhibits of the concern will include rubber-to-metal-bonded torsional-vibration dampers, the latest application of which is to propeller shafts, and trailing-link couplings for main and -auxiliary drives. These will be found on Stand 338. .

The rubber products to be shown by Silentbloc, Ltd., on Stand 299, will

comprise the company's rubber bushes and mountings and special-purposes bonded-to-metal rubber components. A prominent Silentbloc display will be the concentrated pressure rubber bustrd shackle.

Components of bodywork interest will include Metal Sections, Ltd., framings (Stand 444) of steel and light-alloy members, representatives of which are a half-bay section of a native singledeck bus of special construction with panelling welded in position.

Colt ventilators to be displayed by G. D. Peters and Co., Ltd., on Stand 416, which operate effectively whatever the direction of the wind, will be. exhibited with the concern's power: operated jack-knife and gliding doors, air-operated sliding door and a variety of seats and blinds.

A feature of the exhibits of John Perks and Son (Forgings), Ltd„ which will be shown on Stand 318, will be a display of light-alloy hooks, hinges and so on, some of the latest• types being offered specially for tipper bodies. 'Rubber mud wings, and corner panels. will be shown by the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., on Stand 439.

To be exhibited by the Young Accumulator Co., Ltd., on Stand 407, a new range of lightweight batteries is designed for use on passenger service vehicles. Reduced weight, space and fuel cost are features of a range of high-performance batteries suitable for passenger vehicles, which will be shown by Joseph Lucas, Ltd., on Stand 253. Another Lucas range with similar properties has been developed for goods vehicles and tractors.