enginehistory.org Forum Index enginehistory.org
Aircraft Engine Historical Society Members' Bulletin Board
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Could Frank Whittle have built a jet engine in 1930?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    enginehistory.org Forum Index -> Authors' Corner
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
fstarr



Joined: 17 Mar 2013
Posts: 1

PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 16:48    Post subject: Could Frank Whittle have built a jet engine in 1930? Reply with quote

The answer to this question is usually "No! Good turbine blade materials had yet to be developed.

However, I have recently been evaluating Sir Frank's 1929 proposal for a jet engine "demonstrator".This differs from his later concepts, in being an engine with a two stage centrifugal compressor and two stage Curtis type turbine.

This combination gives a relatively slow running engine in which turbine blade stresses would have been under 5 tons/sq in, less than half those in engines like the WI, W2 and Derwent. Furthermore, although tubine inlet temperature was to be over 700°C, blade temperatures were in the 550-580°C range, without blade cooling.

With such a design, the austenitic stainless steel exhaust valve alloys, which were coming into service in the late 1920s, would have been adequate. With an airflow 30lb/sec, thrust would been about 1100lb, sufficient to demonstrate the jet engine concept.

I will be giving a talk on this to the Westen Branch of the Newcomen Society in Filton, Bristol on 17th April 2014. It is entitled "Lost Opportunities....Whittle Tubojet Demonstrator of 1929"
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    enginehistory.org Forum Index -> Authors' Corner All times are GMT - 6 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group