BBC meeting summary of 22 February 1962: suspension, gearbox and hydrostatic transmission

In this document

This handwritten page is a "Meeting Summary" dated 22 February 1962, referenced "BBC.62 22" at the top of the page p. 25.

Suspension and damping

The text lists several points related to hydraulic suspension: "Bottoming damping" noted as "dormant", an "improvement in damping", as well as "H. truck suspension — and H. veh." and "H. AM. suspension — C." followed by an isolated number "13." p. 25. Also appearing are "Anti-roll" and "AM damping", the latter underlined p. 25.

Transmission and gearbox

A section mentions the "Gearbox - Clutch — 1st synchronized - Re-engagement" with the mention of a "Hyd. block" p. 25.

Other technical subjects

Noted are a "Servo-assisted return function" (underlined, with the mention "activate") and a "Hydraulically driven alternator with regulation. HE" p. 25.

Finally, a "Hydrostatic transmission" is mentioned with two power values, "30 HP" and "100 HP", accompanied by the numbers "65,000" and "8500" noted in the margin p. 25. The page ends with "General group study - engine" and "Slippage meeting" (uncertain reading), then the signature "M. M. Berco - Bruder, 22.2.62" p. 25.

Context

At the beginning of the 1960s, Citroën continued the development of its hydropneumatic suspension launched on the DS in 1955, while exploring expanded applications: commercial vehicles, trucks, and auxiliary systems such as anti-roll or hydraulic power steering.

The hydrostatic transmission — technology transmitting engine power via a hydraulic circuit rather than a mechanical shaft — was then being studied in several industrial constructions, particularly for heavy or agricultural machinery; its mention here, with power in HP, suggests comparable exploratory work. Paul Magès, chief engineer of the Citroën hydraulic department, is the designer of the hydropneumatic suspension and at that time led numerous related developments (braking, clutch, power steering).

The name "Bercot" likely refers to Pierre Bercot, then Chairman and CEO of Citroën, while "Bruder" could designate another technical manager of the company — these identifications remain, however, contextual hypotheses, not confirmed by the document itself.

Archivist's perspective

This very condensed summary — probably taken in a meeting, hence its telegraphic style and crossings-out — draws up a sort of dashboard of Citroën hydraulic projects on the date of 22 February 1962: suspension, anti-roll, gearbox, alternator and hydrostatic transmission appear there as so many research fronts conducted in parallel.

The pencil frames seem to indicate a hierarchy or prioritization of certain subjects over others, but their exact meaning is not explained in the document.

This note is in continuity with the BBC Conferences of November-December 1960, which already addressed suspension, clutch and braking, and shortly precedes the Conference notes of 28 February 1963, which cover very similar themes (suspension, gearbox) — one year later, under the same signatories "Bercot-Bruder". This document thus illustrates the regular, almost weekly, monitoring of hydraulic projects in Magès' team at the beginning of the 1960s.