Bristol Theseus
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox aero engine
The Theseus was the Bristol Aeroplane Company's first attempt at a gas-turbine engine design. A turboprop delivering just over 2,000 hp (1,500 kW) was chosen rather than compete with companies that were already developing turbojets. A heat exchanger to transfer waste heat from the exhaust to the compressor exit was necessary to meet a requirement for a fuel consumption comparable to a piston engine. However, the heat exchanger was abandoned after tests showed that it had a high pressure loss and only produced a fuel saving of 8%. Furthermore overall performance was reduced [1] [2]
As well as being one of the first engines to feature a free propeller turbine, the Theseus was the first turboprop in the world to pass a type test in January 1947.[3] Following 156 hours of ground runs and the receipt of a test certificate from the Ministry of Supply on 28 January 1947, two Theseus engines were fitted in the outer positions of a four-engined Avro Lincoln for air tests.[4] After ground and taxying test the Lincoln first flew on 17 February 1947.[4]
The engine was also installed in two Handley Page Hermes 5 development aircraft.[5]
It was soon superseded by the Proteus design with more power.
Applications
Bristol Theseus on public display
East Midlands Aeropark Castle Donington.
Variants
- Theseus Series TH.11
- Variant without heat exchanger. Ran for first time July 18, 1945
- Theseus Series TH.21
- Variant with heat exchanger. Ran for first time in December, 1945
- Theseus 502
Specifications (Theseus Th.21)
Data from Aircraft Engines of the world 1946[7]
General characteristics
- Type: Mixed compressor turboprop with matrix heat exchanger
- Length: Script error: No such module "convert".
- Diameter: Script error: No such module "convert".[8]
- Dry weight: Script error: No such module "convert".
Components
- Compressor: 8-stage axial + 1-stage centrifugal compressors feeding the combustion chambers through a heat exchanger
- Combustors: 8 x stainless steel can combustion chambers
- Turbine: 2-stage axial + 1-stage axial free turbine driving the propeller
- Fuel type: Kerosene (R.D.E. / F / KER)
- Oil system: pressure feed to bearings, dry sump, 40 S.U. secs (13 cSt) (Intavia 620) grade oil
Performance
- Maximum power output: Script error: No such module "convert".@Sea Level Static, ISA plus Script error: No such module "convert". residual thrust[8]
- Overall pressure ratio: 5:1[9]
- Air mass flow: 30.0 lb/s (13.61 kg/s)[9]
- Specific fuel consumption: 0.57 lb/equiv. hph (kg/equiv. kWh)@ Max Power, 300mph, Sea Level, ISA[8]
- Specific Fuel Consumption : 0.5 lb/equiv. hph (kg/equiv. kWh)@ Max Power, 300mph, 20000ft, ISA [8]
- Thrust-to-weight ratio:
- Maximum flight rating: Script error: No such module "convert". equivalent at Max Power, 300mph, Sea Level, ISA[8]
- Maximum flight rating: Script error: No such module "convert". equivalent at Max Power, 300mph, Script error: No such module "convert"., ISA NOTE:Equivalent Power defined as Propeller Shaft Power plus (Jet Thrust * Flight Velocity/Propeller Efficiency) [8]
- Power-to-weight ratio: 1.02 equiv. hp/lb (1.677 equiv. kW/kg) Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
See also
References
Notes
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- ↑ Making Jet Engines in World War II: Britain, Germany, and the United States', Hermione Giffard 2016, University of Chicago, p. 114-115
- ↑ Turbojet History And Development 1930-1960 Volume 1, Antony Kay2007, Template:ISBN, p.139
- ↑ http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1947/1947%20-%200602.html Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Gunston 1989, p.34.
- ↑ Test bed only
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c d e f Practical Mechanics, February 1947, p.172
- ↑ a b Practical Mechanics, January 1947, p.116-118
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Bibliography
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- Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. Template:ISBN
External links
- "Bristol Theseus I" a 1945 Flight article
- Development of the turboprop Flight 30 November 1950