Britain's First Gas Turbine for Road Vehicles E XTENSIVE interest exist
Page 22
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
's in the 1--ipossibilities of gas turbines for road vehicles. So far no example has reached a commercial state, but one of the first designs to appear as an untested type is on view at the British Industries Fair at Castle Bromwich, on the stand of Power lets (Research and Development), Ltd. (No. 743, Section D). The 160 b.h.p. prime mover is made by Centrax Power Units, Ltd., Catherine Wheel House, High Street, Brentford, Middlesex.
In view of the fact that the machine has not yet run under power and is exhibited in an incomplete state, the figures given are, for the most part, those expected. There is a 24-volt starter to provide initial rotation; electric ignition by a single plug is employed until ignition is self-supporting. Next in constructional order follow fuel-supply and lubrication pumps. Then there is the air-inlet housing leading to the axial-type compressor, in which there are eight stages and a further one of a centrifugal type. The ratio is 5.8 to 1.
Air from the compressor series enters a casing in which are seven flame tubes. Gas emerging from them acts upon the turbine. Two stages running at 40,000 r.p.m. drive the compressor, whilst a single-stage 7-in, rotor constitutes the power turbine, running at 35,000 r.p.m. At the output end of the machine is a speed-reducing gear having a ratio of 7 to 1.
Fuel supply to the seven burners is of the spill type with volume (i.e. power) control on the spill side; at present aviation 'kerosene is the fuel intended for use. As to temperatures expected in the compressor-driving turbine, "The Commercial Motor told that 700 degrees C. is a probable value, whilst in the power turbine the. value will be 500 degrees C. Fuel consumption is expected to be at the rate of 0.7 lb. per b.h.p.-hour without a heat exchanger.
The weight figure given is 250 lb. Overall width is 1 -ft. 6 ins., whilst the length will probably be.5 ft.
For heavy vehicles, wherein the power-to-weight ratio would not be so great, a simple two-ratio gearbox might be advisable.