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The Sir Frank Whittle Story 75 Th Anniversary of the Jet Engine

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The Sir Frank Whittle Story 75 Th Anniversary of the Jet Engine Barry K James, FrankWhittleStory_RevE.ppt CANNOCK CHASE U3A SCIENCE & T ECHNOLOGY GROUP The Sir Frank Whittle Story 75 th Anniversary of the Jet Engine June 2016 HIS EARLY YEARS Frank Whittle was born in Coventry in 1907 Lived in Coventry for 9 years Then moved to Leamington Spa He helped his Father in his small engineering business. Learnt a lot about engineering, but only paid 2p/hour. Won a scholarship to Leamington school Came top in maths Used to go to local library to learn about turbines. But just wanted to fly……...Video1 Whittle1 EARLY DAYS AT THE RAF Frank tried to join the RAF, but was turned down twice as too small. Eventually accepted as an apprentice and became the lead RAF replica aircraft builder. Spotted as being officer material and gained a commission to Cranwell. He trained as a cadet pilot, and was spotted as a mathematical genius at Cranwell. Became a very experienced pilot at 22 but with piston engined propeller planes of the time – 1911 AVRO biplane. He thought that there must be a better way to Whittle2 propel the plane for higher speed using turbines. Convincing the military was another story……….Video2 BREGUET FORMULA (1920’ S) This was the now known “Breguet” formula that Whittle devised unknowingly in his thesis: i.e. Rate of change of weight with time as fuel is burned gives: Range = (V/C) * (L/D) * loge(Wi/Wf) V= Velocity in knots C= Specific fuel consumption in pounds fuel per pounds thrust per hour L= Lift in pounds D= Drag in pounds ln= Natural logarithm, or loge Wi= Weight of aircraft at start of cruise in pounds Wf= Weight of aircraft at end of cruise in pounds WHITTLES IDEA …….T HE “MOTOR JET ” Steam & water turbines existed, but not applied to flight. So the idea was like letting off a balloon…. Turbine Air Compressor Solid shaft centrifugal connecting turbine & compressor, Igniter & one moving Fuel in part. A percentage of the exhaust power via the turbine was used to turn the front end compressor. The remainder provided thrust out. His original engine used reverse flow gases in the igniter & a centrifugal compressor…….Video….. THE IDEA TAKES AN UNEXPECTED TURN Although his idea was turned down by the Air Ministry in 1929, he was persuaded to patent the idea in 1930 at age 22. But others then had a head start. Whittle was sent to Cambridge after Cranwell, being told he would be an engineer. Sent to Cambridge in 1934…….Video3 Whittle3 Whittle kept designing, even whilst doing his degree. Graduated at Cambridge with a First in 1936. THE FIRST ENGINE Power Jets Ltd formed with backing from Falk & Partners investment of £2000 in 1936. Whittle was still doing his final exams. BTH in Rugby selected to build the engine. Now called Alstom, still in Rugby. First design Used reverse flow Then, the first run. In 1937……..Video4 Whittle4 THE COMPETITION MARCHES Heinkel in Germany were also well ahead using Whittles patent. They had plenty of money The Germans also had the will that it would work. Power Jets was a different story…. Video5 Whittle5 AT LAST – A F LICKER OF HOPE Heinkel overtook Whittle with a complete flight engine and aircraft. Then in 1939, a breakthrough from the Air Ministry. Pye immediately ordered a flight engine and aircraft. Power Jets moved to Lutterworth. Also had to use Brownsover Hall at Rugby. Whittle6 Power Jets now galvanised to getting the fighter plane engine finished…..Video6 NOW THINGS GATHERED PACE First flight engine ready by May 1941. The Gloster flies up to 375mph. Now everyone was falling over themselves to help. Churchill ordered 1000 more. Whittle7 But competitors wanted their share of it for the war effort. GE and Bell in the USA made their own engines. The technology was just “given away” to them. If only the UK Air Ministry had co-operated…Vid7 MORE SKULLDUGGERY Whittle was in the USA with GE while the engine for the Meteor was underway. Back in the UK, the Air Ministry had contracted the Meteor engine to Rover, the car maker. Rover made a mess of it, and delayed it by two years. Then, at last some sense when Rolls Royce took over. But this put Power Jets in the background. Caused Whittle anguish and ill health. ……Video8 Whittle8 BUILD UP , T HEN LET DOWN Jet engine was a revelation to pilots. Secret engine made public in 1944. More aircraft followed. Power Jets expanded and gained manufacturing. Order books looked good. TurboFan developed for efficiency. Whittle9 Then yet another twist by the Government in 1945. Whittle was forced out and deprived of design…Video9 DECORATED , BUT NO LONGER WANTED Whittle was made an Air Commodore by 1946, but by 1948 was asked to retire from the RAF. He received a Knighthood in 1948 at 41. And a payment for his invention. In Germany, engines by 1945 were a complex axial design, but only a 25 hour life….Video10. Whittle10 MEMOIRS OF FRANK WHITTLE AIR CDRE Gave us Concorde and the 747. He died in August 1996 Whittle11 EPITAPHS THAT REMAIN WHITTLE ’S W2/700 JET ENGINE TODAY ’S STRAIGHT THROUGH PRINCIPLE ROVER EVEN TRIED THE JET IN A CAR !.
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