Aircraft engine design books from 1900-1920

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the knowledge and literature available to aircraft engineers between 1900 and 1920, focusing on thermodynamics and mechanical engineering principles relevant to aircraft engine design. Participants explore the depth of calculations related to engine performance, cooling, and the understanding of thermodynamic cycles during this period.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in the level of detail regarding calculations on engine performance and cooling during the early 20th century.
  • Another participant suggests that much of the knowledge in the early days was based on observations, measurements, and correlations, particularly before the introduction of superchargers and high-altitude flight.
  • A participant notes that detailed theoretical analysis of engine performance at Rolls Royce did not begin until Dr. Hooker joined in 1938, indicating a shift towards applying advanced theoretical knowledge.
  • One participant reflects on their findings from Dugald Clerk's book, highlighting the experimental nature of early work, including derivations of flame temperatures and references to foundational work by scientists like le Chatelier and Boyle.
  • Participants share references to books and biographies related to significant figures in aircraft engine development, such as Sir Roy Fedden and Henry Royce.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that early aircraft engine design relied heavily on empirical observations and measurements, but there is no consensus on the extent of theoretical knowledge available or its evolution over time.

Contextual Notes

Limitations in the discussion include the lack of specific examples of books detailing aircraft engines from the period, as well as the dependence on individual interpretations of the historical context and available literature.

Who May Find This Useful

Historians of technology, researchers in aerospace engineering, and enthusiasts interested in the evolution of aircraft engine design may find this discussion relevant.

bigfooted
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I'm interested in the knowledge that was available to aircraft engineers in the period 1900-1920. specifically the thermodynamics and mechanical engineering knowledge generally available, like in how much detail were the calculations on the performance, or the cooling of engines done, how general was the knowledge on the different thermodynamic cycles and how were they used, how much knowledge was based on observations, measurements and correlations?

Example: The gas, petrol and oil engine, by Dugald Clerk (1910) which you can find online.
I'm hoping to find one or two books that are treating aircraft engines in more detail from this period.
 
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bigfooted said:
how much knowledge was based on observations, measurements and correlations?

Most of it in the early days .

The need to apply more advanced theoretical knowledge to engine design only really became essential with the coming of superchargers and high altitude flight .

Even at Rolls Royce no detailed theoretical analysis of engine performance was done until Dr.Hooker joined the company in about 1938 and started to apply his knowledge of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics to first piston engine and then to jet engine design .
 
Last edited:
Nidum said:
Most of it in the early days .
It's what I concluded after browsing through the book of Dugald Clerk. A lot of experiments, derivations of flame temperatures based on pressure readings,a lot of work still on basic properties of gases (specific heat) but also some references to the work of le Chatelier, Wien, Boyle,...
 

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