Tesla Turbine

Hard data on the darling inventions and the replicas built by hobbyists is almost impossible to come by.

The plain and simple truth of there being none made on a commercial basis should speak for itself.

I would classify and store it and/or the design under "Interesting Items of Doubtful Value."

The only way to determain if the Tesla patents actually work as specified would be to actually build one. If the turbine does work as well as claimed then you would have to find a use for it.

I'll stick with the Tesla Roadster...

http://www.teslamotors.com/index.php?js_enabled=1

...the Tesla Roadster... is electric, but this is a versatile turbine for use with gas, vapor, steam or hi-temp liquid.

The modren Tesla roadster still needs to be recharged. If you really want to hang Tesla's name on a car, come up with the devise he used in the Pierce Arrow.

The highest power-to-weight ratio in the last years, was achieved by a Brazilian guy, who developed a very small, high-speed Turbo-Jet engine.

Oddly enough, instead of applying this marvel to the propulsion if cars, bikes,or boats, he chose to apply it for educational use.

Go figure...

The longest running group is the Tesla Engine Builder's Association, and it is also they who are largely responsible for popularizing interest in the engine. It is an odd fact that a lot of Tesla's inventions are not fully developed, and yet seem to hold so much promise.. perhaps because of the scale of investment needed to bring them to fruition, and that Tesla was a true benefactor of humanity. He lacked the profiteering gene... Those technologies that he did complete more thoroughly were an order of magnitude more ingenious than competetive systems, such as AC electrical technologies, and the harnessing of Niagara falls for electrical production.

Chris

Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), I have no doubt about it, is one of the greatest inventors of modern times, reminiscent of Michael Faraday in his genius.

Like Charles Babbage (1791-1871 his early contemporary - only in the field logic and computation), his invention preceded the technological abilities of his time, and only decades later, could the expertise and materials be suitable to realise some of his ideas.

The US Navy tried some of Tesla's designs and modified their own steam/gas turbines accordingly they had faith in his ideas. Why do you doubt his ability to get it right?

The only problem is that in order to get the power to weight ratio you need to run the things at very high speed 15 to 20,000 rpm and they don't last due to the enormous stress placed on the turbine blades. It also limits the size of turbine because the centrifugal forces increase as you get bigger. The turbine blades stretch and can jam against the casing. This limits all turbine engines, and generators. Blade failure is a major problem and can destroy an entire set up. Safety casing have to be built to withstand the enormous energy that a blade breaking off can release. This is why electricity generators are made to a certain size and operate at a relatively slow speed. Gas turbines are even more vulnerable due to the increased operating temperatures involved.

To quote an earlier post by y.t.: "The plain and simple truth of there being none made on a commercial basis should speak for itself."

"The US Navy tried some of Tesla's designs and modified their own steam/gas turbines accordingly they had faith in his ideas. Why do you doubt his ability to get it right?"

IOW the Tesla design turbine was "weighed in the balances and found wanting."

"The only problem is that in order to get the power to weight ratio you need to run the things at very high speed 15 to 20,000 rpm and they don't last due to the enormous stress placed on the turbine blades. It also limits the size of turbine because the centrifugal forces increase as you get bigger. The turbine blades stretch and can jam against the casing. This limits all turbine engines, and generators. Blade failure is a major problem and can destroy an entire set up. Safety casing have to be built to withstand the enormous energy that a blade breaking off can release. This is why electricity generators are made to a certain size and operate at a relatively slow speed. Gas turbines are even more vulnerable due to the increased operating temperatures involved."

And you have just shot your argument for the T. T. all to pieces.

that last one was issues with high angular velocities on ALL turbines.

As with all things, context is everything. I'm sure that if the Tesla turbine were more fully matured and developed, it would have a niche, or application in which its particular charactistics fill the design requirements optimally. It is dangerous to make broad sweeping statements about any particular mechanical product, when they are tied so closely to their application. After all, there is no such thing as a universal bolt.

Chris.

...they don't last due to the enormous stress placed on the turbine blades...

Turbo jet blades do just about fine, given proper investment in their alloy and form design. Most high velocity blade-tips tend to pass into supersonics, and those immersed in hi-temp vapors are subject to ultra high stress. If it was dear to investors, proper development could follow.

The "Tesla Twirler", with all due respect to the man, ISN'T going to take over the turbine market any time soon if ever!

There are many miniture turbines out there on the market for R/C Jets and Helicopters. Several people have even made turboprops out of them with insane shaft HP. In fact, they have to electronically limit the shaft HP for the helicopters otherwise they would shread the blades. http://www.jetcatusa.com/spt5.html http://www.rcturbine.com/ http://www.jetcatusa.com/

Check eBay as well.

"There are many miniture turbines out there on the market for R/C Jets and Helicopters. Several people have even made turboprops out of them with insane shaft HP. In fact, they have to electronically limit the shaft HP for the helicopters otherwise they would shread the blades."

IOW: "Tinker-Toys" or "Toys For Tots."

Not Industrial Strength Stuff for the Real World!

Your egotism is showing

"Your egotism is showing"

You are hiding in anonymity!

The Tesla turbine is known as the bladeless turbine or multiple-disk turbine. There is some data on the device. Please see:

1. Warren Rice, "An Analytical and Experimental Investigation of multiple-Disk Turbines", Journal of Engineering for Power, January 1965 pp 29-36.

There is a book by Balje that discusses the turbine and the performance potential. It was published in 1981. The reference is:

2. Balje, O. E. 1981. Turbomachines. John Wiley & Sons, New York

Reference 1 built the device and measured performance. The potential performance in terms of efficiency of the turbine is low because the device uses friction to drive the disks. Most applications require a higher efficiency.

The device does not use friction. It uses concepts of adheasion and laminar flow.

Tesla turbine was developed early last century, under a different energy context from today's.

Other machines had more commercial success under that environment.

Guys.. we are on 21st century and the materials today are quite different from 90 years ago. Material failure was the main cause for the abandon of Tesla turbines but that was overcome.

Stirling is in fact another very promising machine, so >Stirling stan... cool down, there is space for you too:)

If any one one have info about "hydropower generation using flowing water of river" ,then please share.Also design of hydroturbines