The Glenwood post., 1912-02-03

ease and rapdity of REPAIRS and small ratio of
weight and space occupied to the power delivered
on the shaft. Mr. Tesla maintains that in the tur-
bine which forms the subject of this article he
has carried the steam and gas motor long step
forward toward the maximum attainable eficen
cy both theoretical and mechanical. That these
claims well founded is shown by the fact that
in the plant where Mr. Tesla carried out his
periments he Is securing output of 200 HIP.
from single-stage steam turbine with atmos,
pheric exhaust, Weighing less than pounds per
HIP. which is contained within a space measuring
2 feet by feet. by feet in height and which
accomplishes these results with thermal fall of
only 1870 BTU. that is about one-third of the to-
tai drop available Furthermore, considered
from the mechanical standpoint, the turbine is
astonishingly simple and economical in construc.
ton. and by the very nature OF its construction
should prove to possess such a durability and
freedom from and breakdown to place 1t
in these respects far in advance of any type OF
steam motor of the present day.
Briefly stated Tesa's steam motor consists of
a set of fat steel disks mounted on a shaft and
rotating within casing the steam entering with
high velocity at the periphery of the disks, flow
ing between them in free spiral paths and finally
escaping through exhaust ports at their center,
Instead of developing the energy of the steam
by pressure. reaction impact series OF
blades vanes, Tesla depends upon the fluid
properties Of adhesion and viscosty-the attrac-
ton of the steam to the faces of the disks and
the resistance of its particles to molecular sepa-
ration combining in transmitting the velocity
ergy of the motive fluid to the plates and the
shaft
By reference to the accompanying photographs
1t will be that the turbine has a rotor which
in the present consists of 25 fiat steel disks.
one one thirty of inch in thickness OF
hardened and carefully tempered steel The
rotor as assembled is 31a inches wide on the face
by 18 inches In diameter and when the turbine
is running at its maximum working velocity the
material is never under tensile stress exceeding
80 900 lbs. per square inch. The rotor Is mounted
in a casing which is provided with two inlet noz-
xles for in running direct and for reversing
Openings out at the central portion of
the disks and these communicate directly with
exhaust ports formed in the side Of the casing.
In operation the steam gas as the case may
be- is directed the periphery OF the disks
through the nozzles (Which may be diverging,
straight or converging) where more or less of its
expansive energy is converted into velocity en-
ergy When the machine is at rest the radia
and tangential forces due to the and velo
CITY of the steam cause 1t to travel in a rather
short curved path toward the central exhaust
opening but as the disks commence to rotate
and their speed increases. the steam travels In
.niraI paths the length of which increases until
IN the case of the present turbine. the particles
of the fluid complete a number of turns around
the shaft before reaching the exhaust covering
IN the meantime q lineal path some IL to 1e feet
IN leneth. During it, progress from inlet to ex-
haust, tho velocity and pressure OF the steam are