Distribution of work at the Citroën BEA as of 15 January 1957

In this document

This document is a work distribution table from the Citroën Design Office (BEA), dated 15 January 1957 p. 211, listing the projects entrusted to each team member.

Suspension and steering

Dascotte is in charge of the DS - DM Suspension and quality control, with work on "Shock absorber noises" and several damping paths currently being tested: "Single-acting solution", "Double-acting sol." and "Inertia sol. not to be abandoned" p. 211.

Vivier follows the 2CV Suspension, with a "new height correction" to be tested on DM and the launch of tests at a pressure of 150 Kg/cm² p. 211.

Perrier handles the DS - Steering (improvement, adjustment, seals) as well as the variable ratio steering known as "Quarter-turn" p. 211.

Baudin works on the "Hydraulic anti-roll" and an indirect pedal assembly p. 211.

Pumps and clutch

Meignan and Vedie are assigned to "Clutch friction" and the LP circuit p. 211. Gaudin is in charge of several pumps (mono HP, low pressure, 7-cylinder self-regulating HP) and the "Clou-boj seal problem" p. 211.

120 HP transmission

Leclanche and Perineau work on hydraulic transmission generators and receivers, with tests aiming for a power of 150 HP and a study of the "2CV transmission block" p. 211.

Sarroi, on the 120 HP Transmission p. 212, has launched orders for receivers and is resuming the study of the "H generator". He lists the hydraulic diagrams to be studied (forward/reverse, braking, cooling, valves, control spools) as well as a question regarding the "connection with suspension - pressure at standstill?" and a reflection on efficiency: is a "larger generator running slower" needed to improve gear efficiency p. 212.

Context

This document is situated in the development and shakedown period of the DS, presented on 6 October 1955, whose hydropneumatic suspension was still undergoing continuous improvements — a task undertaken by Paul Magès from his first plans on 17 February 1944 (Plans for hydropneumatic suspension with differential interaction) and continued through the tests of the 2 CV in 1946 and then the 15-Six H in 1954 (Test of the 15-Six H). The 2CV benefited in parallel from research into a high-pressure suspension, never marketed in this form. The "120 HP Transmission" mentioned here refers to Citroën's research into hydraulic transmissions for vehicles, a field of experimentation that remained largely internal to the manufacturer during the 1950s. This schedule is part of Magès' long career at Citroën, where he started in August 1925 and which he only left in September 1974, after 49 years of service (Photographs of Paul Magès' retirement).

Archivist's perspective

This schedule offers a rare and concrete view of the work organisation within the BEA under the direction of Paul Magès: it allows for naming the collaborators and following, week by week, the progress of several parallel projects — suspension, steering, pumps, transmission.

It seems that this document illustrates well the working method of Magès, who multiplied technical paths (several damping "solutions" in parallel, p. 211) before deciding on an industrial choice.

This document probably belongs to the same collection as the Summary of folder 41-59, devoted to the developments of the hydropneumatic suspension and the DS, of which it could be an operational tracking document.