Free Web NovelChapter 777: Chapter 421: The Perfect Solution for the Combustion Chamber
Power Engineering Laboratory.
The project team patiently disassembled the prototype, already highly proficient in the task. The workers and engineers might not have experience in the full disassembly of machinery, but they had participated in the assembly of two or three prototypes, giving them a more comprehensive understanding of the various components.
A prototype is a product used for experimentation and demonstration, occasionally requiring component replacement. Therefore, dismantling the entire machine into several parts before performing detailed disassembly made the task much easier and smoother.
At the same time, the group began to discuss amongst themselves. An engineer named Zhou Qing postulated, "Why do you think Academician Zhao decided to dismantle the prototype? And why dismantle the whole thing? Couldn’t he just study the design diagrams or disassemble certain parts for research?"
"Who knows? Haven’t we all agreed? The ideas of a genius are different from ours, ordinary folk," said a worker in jest, as they twisted a nut into place.
This banter was neither flattery nor self-deprecation, but light-hearted ribbing.
Yuan Haitao, hearing the conversation from afar, came over and chimed in, "It’s a shame to have the whole prototype disassembled. However, the machine has always had its problems. Maybe some components were poorly designed or improperly installed. If we conduct tests on each part, we might find the issue."
"This is also an opportunity. We wouldn’t be allowed to do this at the base."
"True that."
"Captain Yuan makes a good point."
"Let’s just proceed then. Anyways, we don’t have much to do here but tinker with this prototype."
"We still need to wait for the machine adjustments though..."
As Yuan Haitao explained the upcoming tasks, he also cautioned, "Stop talking about Academician Zhao all the time. Do you know who he is? He’s a top-tier mathematician, a world-renown scholar. Orders from above have made it clear we must follow his instructions. Our entire team couldn’t amount to a single Academician Zhao. Even though Academician Zhao’s age..." He abruptly stopped, corrected himself, "Anyway, it’s best not to talk about it." ƒгeewebnovёl.com
Several people nodded in agreement.
Despite Yuan Haitao’s directive not to gossip, people tend to discuss things they don’t understand.
Obviously.
The dismantling of the prototype was one such incomprehensible task. They, considering themselves ’professionals’, felt as though they were being directed by a layperson.
Even if the layperson is a top-tier mathematician, what does this have to do with engine design and manufacturing?
...
The disassembly of the prototype was nearing its end.
Most of the task involved replicating parts and installing the latest detection and auxiliary machines that had been transported in, creating a flurry of activity in the Noda operating room. As some of the machines were incredibly heavy, security officers had to help move them.
Zhao Yi arrived.
Zhao Yi visited almost every day. As they were still disassembling the machine and installing equipment, his visits were usually brief due to his inability to effectively contribute to the tasks at hand.
This time, however, he did not leave immediately. He instead asked Yuan Haitao some technical questions, their discussion mainly involving the combustion chamber.
The combustion chamber is the part of the turbojet engine that provides power.
There are several types of aero turbojet engines: turboprop engines, turbojet engines, and turbofan engines. Among them, the highest performing are turbojet engines. When equipped in a fighter jet, they can provide supersonic power easily. The maximum power can propel the aircraft to speeds exceeding Mach 3, or three times the speed of sound.
However, the fuel consumption of turbojet engines is extremely high. The power provided by an engine is not the more the better; practicality, fuel consumption, and range are all significant considerations. A jet achieving Mach 3 speeds will consume a tremendous amount of fuel during each flight. Not only does this mean high fuel consumption, but the associated wear and tear also translates into shorter range, significantly limiting the maximum flight distance.
Hence the existence of turboprop and turbofan engines.
To put it simply, a turboprop engine can be imagined as a turbojet engine equipped with a propeller at the front. The engine primarily generates pull (thrust) through the propeller, with the jet providing only a small portion of the thrust, approximately one-ninth of the total force generated by the propeller. The advantage of a turboprop engine is its high efficiency at low speeds, making it suitable for transport planes and maritime patrol aircraft. However, the large rotation area of the propeller creates significant resistance during high-speed flights, making turboprop engines unsuitable for such purposes.
The turbofan engine lies somewhere between the turbojet and the turboprop engine. It can be considered as a turbojet engine equipped with a fan at the front. It can provide reasonable power, supporting speeds of up to 1000 kilometers per hour, while significantly reducing fuel consumption. The downside is that the engine design and technology involved are incredibly complex.
The Kunlun engine is a turbofan engine.
Its development has been highly valued by the country due to its comprehensive technologies. For instance, with the underlying technology of the Kunlun engine, one can easily produce a state-of-the-art turbojet engine that allows for the domestic production of supersonic fighter jets. Coupled with the principles of propellers, the country could also expand its research to develop a new type of turboprop engine for use in transport and patrol aircraft.
Although the Kunlun engine is the most technologically complex turbofan engine, its power-supplying core is no different from other types of turbojet engines. The most crucial parts within it are still the combustion chamber and the turbine.
