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An Efficient Front wheel Drive

9th December 1932
Page 62
Page 62, 9th December 1932 — An Efficient Front wheel Drive
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

WHAT appears to be a very efficient front-wheel-driving arrangement is described in patent No. 382,677, by A. W. Herrington, 1,101, West Morris Street, Indianapolis, U.S.A. The weight-supporting axle is hollow and within it is the driving shaft (10) which engages a muff, and through it drives the short shaft (13). The drive is continued through two universal joints to another shaft (36), then through the member 42 to the wheel.

By the use of two universal joints the angle through which the drive can be transmitted is greatly increased. 'Another feature of this device is that the weight does not depend upon screw threads, the lower bearing of the pivot being supported by the actual parts forming the steering head.

Reducing Crankshaft Oscillations pATENT No. 382,787, by R. R. Sara

sin, Rue du Chateau de la Chasse, Saint-Prix, France, describes a device which is claimed to reduce torsional oscillations in crankshafts.

• Fixed to the crankshaft is a member (19), which is provided with internal recesses to accommodate the rollers shown. These rollers are mounted on heavy members (6) which, by centrifugal force, press outward against the recesses, thus tending to retain a central position with regard to the recesses against which they bear.

The weights (6) are connected to a sleeve by means of links, the sleeve running freely on the boss of the member 19, the amount of rotation of which is limited by a recess (24) in the sleeve, and a projection on the boss (23).

Rubber and Metal Steering Joints.

PATENT No. 381,687, by Thompson Products, Cleveland, U.S.A., describes a steering joint in which the bush is compOsed of a split rubber ring, each half of which is enclosed in a metal sheath, which is also split.

The sheaths are bent over at the top to facilitate assembly, the inner sheath

being splayed to.enable the pin to ,be pressed in. The specification says that the friction between the sheaths is sufficient to retain them in contact with the pin and the outer casing, so preventing relative movement, and relying on. the flow of the rubber for all movements necessary in such joints.

A Compact Four-speed Gearbox.

THE firm of Panhard and Levassor, of Paris, is responsible for the compact and short gearbox described in patent No. 358,403.

The wheels 8, 10 and 11 are all mounted freely on their shafts, the other gears being driven by keys or splines. All changes, excepting in the case of the reverse, are made by sliding the col lars 16 and 21. The various gears are obtained as follows :

Third speed ; sleeve 21 is moved to the left, when its teeth (22) enter the notches of pinion 10, which is then driven, and the left-hand shaft is driven via pinion 6.

kw, 2.

Second speed ; the sleeve 21 is moved to the right, so that its teeth (23) enter the notches of pinion 11, the latter, through pinion 7 driving shaft 2.

First speed; the sleeve 21 is left central, whilst the sleeve 16 is moved to the right, the pins notches of pinion 8. (18) entering the Direct drive ; the sleeve 16 is moved to the left, its pins entering the notches (19). Reverse movement is obtained by a sliding intermediate pinion engaging the two gears shown on the right

Resilient Suspension for Engines.

IN patent No. 681,781, H. C. A. Potez, of Meaulte, Prance, describes a means for supporting engines and other units in their frames by means of resilient rubber bushes. The outer and inner members of the supporting device resemble the hubs of bicycles, the spaces usually occupied by the balls being elongated and filled with rubber rings.

The examples show the vertical and horizontal positions in which the device may be employed. It would appear that the junction of the outer part with the frame member, as shown, would hardly give sufficient bearing surface to prevent swaging and consequent slackness.

Anti-rolling Springs.

TO minimize the tendency of vehicles to roll is the object of the invention described in patent No. 357,638, by G. A. Woodhead, The Grange, Old Park Road, Roundhay, Leeds.

Ordinary quarter-elliptic springs are joined together by a cross-member so that any tendency to roll is checked.

In some instances rigid cross-members are shown, but a cross-member formed of springs is also described.


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