Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-08
WORK CONTINUED
ON DIESEL ENGINES
Engineering Minds of Auto
Industry Being Applied
Anew to Problems.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
DETROIT, February with econ
omy now major factor In the use Of
motor cars, the engineering minds of
the automobile industry are being APP
piled anew to the solution Of problems
that 50 far have prevented Diesel-type
engines from becoming real competitors
Of the sasoline-driven power plants.
The future Of the Diesel that prom
iseS to bring reduction of fuel cost, with
high mileage, elimination of death-deal-
ened fire hazard in autogotive vehicles,
soon will be determined If research work
now in progress meets with success, as
eventually it must.
Recent Efforts
The more recent efforts to establish
the Diesel in the automobile field have
trial at Daytona Beach, Fla, side by
side with Capt. Malcolm Campbell and
his speed monster, Bluebird II. This
represents Q ren:wal Of Q similar trial
made in 1880 by C. L. Cummins, an
engineer Of Columbus, Ind, who has
again put an improved Diesel powered
car on the beach to see If he can excel
last years performance.
Diesel engine possibilities occupied
large part Of the recent deliberations Of
the Society Of Automotive Engineers in
Detroit, which was attended by 1000
workers in various branches Of power
plant development.
The perfection of automotive Diesel
engines Is conceded to be one Of the
most important Developments now be-
ing carried on.
Into the discussion again comes J. @.
Vincent, vice president Of engineering,
IN the automobile field who speaks in
the light OF his company's experience in
adapting the Diesel principle to air.
craft.
In his view, it Is foolish to say that
the oil-burnsrs never viii be used for
motor car power plants, for only few
years ago almost any one might have
said that the Diesel engine never could
be used in airplaneS, and numerous
engineers did say just that.
II the need for such an engine for
automobiles becomes as great as it al
ways has been for airplanes, it will
come OF course. At present, however,
Is safe, therefore, to say that the Diesel
automobile engine is still something for
the distant future. It may never be
needed enough for the engineers of the
industry to attack the eruelling prob
iem which must be inst before 1t can
be developed.
Precise Problem.
THE choice Of suitable power plant
1or an automobile Is Q precise problem
TO be determined by the requirements
just ~ much aS the selection of the
most suitable type Of bridge 10 span &
certain river or the most efficient type
OF generating squipmsnt for big power
house.
Nearly every one Is familiar with
the fact that there Is little in common
between the airplane and the automo-
bile engine OF today, although 1t is true
that early aircraft engines closely re-
sembled the automobile motor largely
because that was the only engine avail
able at the time for flying.
Just as soon as q wide experience in
flying was gained, however, the d.
vergent requirements of the airplane
engine became apparent. The ressm-
blance between the two types Of engines
then began to disappear.
Three Advantages.
1.-THE three advantages In the Diesel
which were OF great Importance in
adapting it to aircraft would be Of
practically no value to the automobile.
This alone In the automobile n I'D might
rule the Diesel engine out Of competi-
ton with gasoline, which has reached
high state Of development after NOR.
than 80 years Of intensive study and
work.
These three features are safety from
fire, economy Of fuel consumption, and
inherent ability Of the Diesel to adjust
itself automatically TO changes Of alti-
tude.
because Of the great difference in
its design and installation, thu gasoline
engine does not present . fire hazard
in the motor car.
Greater fuel economy would be vel
come, Of course, In an automobile en-
gins, but universal use Of fuel oil for
propelling the country'S motor cars
soon would limit this difference be-
tween the two engines to q minimum
"Of course, the third feature OF the
Diesel, while of great Importance to
flying, does not enter into motoring at
all because the earth's surface does not
present changing attitudes which will
affect a gasoline motor unless 1t b. on
the top OF only one or two mountains"
Work Gees On.
In spite Of the obstacles which Mr.