Great Engineers & Scientists Blog

Great Engineers & Scientists

In 1676, Sir Isaac Newton wrote "If I have seen further it is by standing on ye shoulders of Giants." In this blog, we take Newton's words to heart, and recognize the many great engineers and scientists upon whose shoulders we stand.

So who do you think of when you hear "Great Engineer"? Let us know! Submit a few paragraphs about that person and we'll add him or her to the pantheon. Please provide a citation for the material that you submit so that we can verify it. Please note - it has to be original material. We cannot publish copywritten material or bulk text taken from books or other sites (including Wikipedia).

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Initial Studies

Posted July 24, 2008 3:00 AM by davah
Pathfinder Tags: August 9 June 1

Some of the original theory that Frank Whittle went through as the proof of the ability of the gas turbine is simple engineering and fairly easy to follow even at the technician level. With the advantage of 60+ years we can obviously see ways to improve on the original. Some of the initial comments raised in the first few pages of the theory are for the future. As we are now in that future with the intervening technology at our disposal the interest of this blog is to take this invention and think it through with the inventor and look at his ways and methods and throwaway comments that may be applicable now. There is much material, which is to be expected, as this was a big leap both in technology and investment, the leap in social advancement was yet future.

The first file of Whittle papers are at this location:

http://drive.123-reg.co.uk/F/5022885-166927839

As the blog is progressing I shall track comments with a programme called mindmanager the free reader is located at:

https://www.mindjet.com/resources/downloads/mm_viewer_plugin.aspx

I shall post the map at significant contributions or the 1st of the month.

An interesting point comes-up on page 7 of the first file where Whittle describes friction free flight. This would be the 'Pot of Gold' today.

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#1

Re: Initial Studies

07/24/2008 7:28 AM

Enthralling to see the great man's paper. I only skimmed a few pages as it's not my field, but it was still a delight as one can easilly recognise the assured writing of someone completely at ease with their subject.

Thanks

Del

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Anonymous Poster
#2

Re: Initial Studies

07/24/2008 11:56 PM

Such a pity you prevent so many people from reading the work by putting it a format many of us cannot use on a work computer!

Can you make it available in a fashion like CR4? so I can read it? We are not permitted to download programs here....

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Anonymous Poster
#4
In reply to #2

Re: Initial Studies

07/25/2008 5:26 AM

The papers are in a pdf format for straight downloading the reader is the same as a pdf reader. If you haven't got the 'go' for downloading this then you will have to do it on your home machine. Sorry away from my machine for three days Da Vah.

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Anonymous Poster
#3

Re: Initial Studies

07/25/2008 12:12 AM

Just to put things in the right picture, at the time Sir Frank was writing the hawker Fury was yet to be invented, most planes were biplanes and made of wood steel tube and cloth, Monoplanes were considered flimsy and not at all practical. If my memory is correct Sir Frank was yet to attend senior college at Cranwell and yet to undertake his undergraduate degree.

Something as an aside is to read his book 'Jet', John Golley's biography of Sir Frank and the Rolls Royce Historical Society booklet 'Pistons to Blades' These will help you put everyhting into context. They all contain a long winded discussion of the Whittle - Rover problems. My thinking is that the issue should be required study for Engineers and Firms working for the Military as they highlight the different thinking patterns and operating ways of public servants, military personnel and established engineering firms.

I think it is high time we took the next step in propulsion, which to me is to chuck the turbine! My current thinking is the Catherine Wheel / Hero Turbine where the combustion jet provides the torque directly to the axle.

With that I leave it up to you Da Vah, until I get back from holidays in two weeks.

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