The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1903-04-02
ADVANCED PROPULslvE POWER
The Hope of Engineers Lies In the
Development of a Gas Engine
of the Turbine Type.

Two of the most revolutionary
movements in the science of develop
ing mechanical power that the world
has witnessed for several years past
are the introduction of the steam
turbine and the use of gas exploded
in cylinder behind piston. A
third advance is predicted for the
near future, in consequence of COM
bining the two ideas in a gas turbine,
states the New York Tribune.
One great advantage OF the steam
turbine is that it affords rotary mo-
tion at the very outset, whereas
with the old steam engine it is nec-
essary to employ crank to convert
movement to and fro into rotation.
In other respects, too, the mechan-
ism is simpler than the reciprocating
engine. 1t occupies much less space
for the same output of power, it is
less liable to get out of order, the
first cost is lower, and it is begin
ming to be believed that it is more
economical in the use of steam. For
propelling ships and driving dyna-
mos it is particularly well adapted.
and other applications are now con-
templated. The gas engine has vari-
Gus drawbacks. 1t takes up more
room than steam engine of the
same capacity; power is exerted on
the piston only once for every two
or four half strokes, instead of for
every half stroke, and water jacket
around the cylinder to keep it cool
adds to the complication and bulk of
the machine. Yet it can work under
high pressure and within certain
limits is more efficient than the
steam engine. Gas engines, or as
they are more appropriately called.
internal combustion engines" have
developed an amazing popularity in
the last decade. The type has been
well known for nearly half CEN
tury, but it has been much improved
OF late. 1t is more quiet, does bet
ter work, and is more economical
than formerly. Fifteen years ago
one seldom heard of an internal
combustion engine developing more
than five, ten or perhaps Is horse
power. Many are in service to-day
having capacity of from 1000 to
1850 horsepower. and even larger
ones have been projected. The num-
Der of engines Of this class has in
creased in the same proportion.
In utilizing the force of exploding
gaseous mixtures to produce rota-
tory motion directly, the form of the
motor would need to be changed a
good deal, and the methods of con-
troll would need to undergo consider
able modification. The present gas
engine is operated by series of
shocks. The steam turbine, of what
ever variety, is driven by continue
GUS pressure. Perhaps the vapor
energies from nozzle and acts on
buckets on the edge Of a wheel
Perhaps it enters closed chamber
and there presses against curiously
curved vanes on the sides of the
wheel. But in any case it acts
steadily, not internationally. 1t does
not, at first sight, seem easy to man
age explosions so as to get the same
general effect. Still, a number OF
promising experiments in that direc-
tion have been tried. George Ethel
bert Walsh, well-known writer on
mechanical topics, says in Science
and Industry:
''It is not considered physical i'm
possibility to control gas under pres.
sure SO that it's ignition and com
bustion will be continuous. ). ).
The gas turbine is something which
engineers are working on with the
hope of ultimate success. If ever
worked out satisfactorily, it will
mark one of those revolutionizing
epochs in the world of power and
mechanics which completely change
old conditions"