Monday 18 June 2012

Gas Turbines History

Turbine means spinning top in Latin.
The first machine developed called Aeolipile is the basis for the further research and invention of Gas turbines. Aeolipile was first developed in AD62.

Aeolipile, 75 AD


The first patent issued for a gas turbine was issued in 1791 to John Barber, an Englishman. The principle of operation of this gas turbine required that air and fuel from a gas producer be compressed in different cylinders and then directed into a combustion chamber where the fuel was burned. The products of combustion were then caused to flow through a nozzle onto a turbine wheel. John Barber’s concept was sound, but given the technology of that day, it was not possible for the device to create sufficient power to both compress the air and the gas and to have power left over to provide useful work. Nevertheless, the credit for the idea that leads to the modern gas turbine can clearly be give to John Barber. In spite of the fact that John Barber’s 1791 patent represented all of the important features of a successful gas turbine it wasn’t until the early part of the 20th century that engineers were able to produce a machine that was useful.
John Barber’s patented Gas turbine

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