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Copyright Dr. Eng. Jan PajÄ…k




Img.113 (LA9) The evolution of a technical idea, from its conceptual formulation to a viable technological implementation. Around 130 B.C. Hero of Alexandria invented the aeolipile (eolipile), shown in part (a). It was as late as 1884 when an English inventor, Charles Algernon Parsons, built the first steam turbine in which the principles of the aeolipile are implemented efficiently enough to produce useful mechanical power - see part (b). The efficiency of current telekinetic devices is equivalent to that of the eolipile. So before these devices become commercially useful, their efficiency needs to be transformed into the equivalent of that of steam turbines.
(a) The operation of the eolipile. It utilizes only jets of expanding steam that escape from two hollow arms, thus not utilizing the energy of pressure, impact, and temperature of the steam. Because of the inefficient conversion of energy carried in the escaping steam, this device produces mechanical energy that scarcely covers its own friction. Therefore, the rotation of the eolipile (similar to the motion of current telekinetic devices) only demonstrates the correctness of its principles, but cannot supply any useful power.
(b) Principles underlying the operation of steam turbines, demonstrated with only one of several cascade rotors. The blades of these rotors deflect the jet of steam, intercepting its inertial impact. In addition, as the steam passes between the blades, it expands and accelerates, propelling them with reaction forces similar to those formed in a rocket outlet. After the steam leaves a particular rotor, it is intercepted by the fixed blades of a stator and redirected to strike the next rotor. Thus, such a cascade conversion of the steam's energy in turbines is efficient enough to produce an excess of mechanical power that can be utilized.

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