Abstract
THE recent launching of the cross—channel turbine steamer, the Queen, to which reference was made in our issue of July 2 (p. 209), has directed attention to the efficiency of turbine engines for many purposes. An ideal engine is one 'which has only one rotating part, and in which the direction of movement is not varied. Engineers, have for many'years recognised this fact, and much time and money have been expended in their endeavour to perfect a rotary engjne. No practical success was, however, attained until Y884, when the Hon. C. A. Parsons, F.R.S., placed on the: market his first compound steam turbine applied to driving a dynamo. Since then Mr. Parsons has effected xnany-4"md various improvements, until, at the present time, the Parsons steam turbine is recognised by engineers to be a thoroughly efficient and practical engine, which, in' the larger sizes, has attained an unprecedented degree of economy in steam. In the latter few years, the Parsons steam turbine has been applied to the propulsion of ships with very satisfactory results, and bids fair, in the near future, to supersede the reciprocating engine for certain classes of vessels.
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The Parsons Steam Turbine . Nature 68, 331–332 (1903). https://doi.org/10.1038/068331b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/068331b0