Zvarinograd
29-03-2004, 15:33
From the imaginative creators of the United Communist States of Zvarinograd comes a unique new aircraft that will hopefully do what no other aircraft in the world has done before. The Kingfisher I is designed to be the first submersible naval aircraft, able to cope with both air and water with it's unique wingless universal fluid dynamics structure as well as it's experimental underwater "jet engine" and it's V/STOL capabilities allows it to be deployed from aircraft carriers. The Kingfisher lives up to it's name by being able to dive directly from flight, turning off it's V/STOL engine and turning on it's underwater turbojet.
http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/9999/99993321F1thumb.JPG (http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/9999/99993321F1.JPG)
Click for Larger Picture
A revolutionary new steam engine, described by its inventors as "an underwater jet engine", may soon be powering dinghies and speedboats more efficiently, cleanly and safely than a conventional outboard motors.
The Pursuit Marine Drive produces thrust by using the energy from high-pressure steam to draw in water through an intake at the front and expel it at high speed through the rear. The steam emerges at high speed from a rearward-facing ring-shaped nozzle into a cone-shaped chamber, where it mixes with the water (see graphic). Shock waves created as the steam condenses are focused by the chamber to blast water out of the back.
A crucial element of the design is that water flowing into the engine draws in air through a vent ahead of the steam jet. The air bubbles change the way the steam mixes with the water, and this significantly increases the engine's efficiency.
Heat scavenger
Steam for the drive is generated in a small boiler burning diesel or petrol. If the drive is being used to assist propulsion in a ship, the boiler can scavenge waste heat from conventional engines. It can be fed by seawater if necessary.
The boiler may be built from corrosion-proof materials, and if the steam flows fast enough it will blast out any other deposits. With no moving internal parts, and no propeller, the engine should be cheap to manufacture. It is also robust, and can easily cope if seaweed or rope are drawn into the inlet.
Water emerging from the engine is no more than 3 or 4 °C warmer than the water it draws in, so there is no danger of scalding. And as it does not leak oil like conventional outboards, and has no propeller that could injure large sea creatures, it should be less damaging to the environment.
The steam drive can also function as an extremely robust pump.
http://www.rexresearch.com/wingless/5730391a.gif
Universal Fluid Dynamics Design
The aircraft and it's technology is only to be sold for research and other non-violent purposes, as the country abides by it's pacifist policies. Negiotiations may be attained, but only compromises and not actual sale for the military.
Primary Function: Technology Demonstrator
Power Plant:
Aerial: Rolls Royce Pegasus F402-RR-406 turbofan engine
Naval: Experimental Miniature Z-111 Pursuit Marine Drive
Weight: 52,500 pounds (23,625 kilograms)
Wingspan: 43 feet, 4 inches (13.3 meters)
Speed:
Aerial: 875 knots
Naval: 120 knots - 135 knots (Surface), 200 knots - 215 knots (Submerged)
Range: Unlimited (with air/tanker ship refueling)
Unit Cost: $285 million
Crew: One
http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/9999/99993321F1thumb.JPG (http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/9999/99993321F1.JPG)
Click for Larger Picture
A revolutionary new steam engine, described by its inventors as "an underwater jet engine", may soon be powering dinghies and speedboats more efficiently, cleanly and safely than a conventional outboard motors.
The Pursuit Marine Drive produces thrust by using the energy from high-pressure steam to draw in water through an intake at the front and expel it at high speed through the rear. The steam emerges at high speed from a rearward-facing ring-shaped nozzle into a cone-shaped chamber, where it mixes with the water (see graphic). Shock waves created as the steam condenses are focused by the chamber to blast water out of the back.
A crucial element of the design is that water flowing into the engine draws in air through a vent ahead of the steam jet. The air bubbles change the way the steam mixes with the water, and this significantly increases the engine's efficiency.
Heat scavenger
Steam for the drive is generated in a small boiler burning diesel or petrol. If the drive is being used to assist propulsion in a ship, the boiler can scavenge waste heat from conventional engines. It can be fed by seawater if necessary.
The boiler may be built from corrosion-proof materials, and if the steam flows fast enough it will blast out any other deposits. With no moving internal parts, and no propeller, the engine should be cheap to manufacture. It is also robust, and can easily cope if seaweed or rope are drawn into the inlet.
Water emerging from the engine is no more than 3 or 4 °C warmer than the water it draws in, so there is no danger of scalding. And as it does not leak oil like conventional outboards, and has no propeller that could injure large sea creatures, it should be less damaging to the environment.
The steam drive can also function as an extremely robust pump.
http://www.rexresearch.com/wingless/5730391a.gif
Universal Fluid Dynamics Design
The aircraft and it's technology is only to be sold for research and other non-violent purposes, as the country abides by it's pacifist policies. Negiotiations may be attained, but only compromises and not actual sale for the military.
Primary Function: Technology Demonstrator
Power Plant:
Aerial: Rolls Royce Pegasus F402-RR-406 turbofan engine
Naval: Experimental Miniature Z-111 Pursuit Marine Drive
Weight: 52,500 pounds (23,625 kilograms)
Wingspan: 43 feet, 4 inches (13.3 meters)
Speed:
Aerial: 875 knots
Naval: 120 knots - 135 knots (Surface), 200 knots - 215 knots (Submerged)
Range: Unlimited (with air/tanker ship refueling)
Unit Cost: $285 million
Crew: One