OCR Text |
Show Further Development of Airplane Dependent Upon Problem of . Combustion By PROP. GEORGE GRANGER BROWN, University ef Michigan. The lifting ability of a plane depends on the power of the motor. Until the internal combustion engine was available with its low weight per horse power, the weight of the power plant always exceeded the lifting lift-ing capacity of the plane. Just as the internal combustion engine made possible the airplane, so is further development of the airplane dependent upon still lower weights per unit of power. The efficiency of present plane and propeller design is so high that there is little opportunity for improvement along these lines. But if the weight of the motor and fuel could be reduced or its power pow-er proportionately increased, so much more "pay load" could be carried. All human and animal existence depends upon combustion as its ?ource of energy. The first real progress man made in his ascent or descent de-scent from the anthropomorphic missing link depended upon his control of fire or combustion, and our further progress depends upon more intelligent intel-ligent and efficient control of combustion. At present there is a deadlock in the design of light, high speed internal in-ternal combustion engines for automobile and aircraft use. The effect on mrrpnsprl rnmnression in increasing efficiency is thoroughly realized. Designers are prepared to supply high compression engines if the common run of motor fuels can be used in them. |