HARVIE GAS TURBINE

Grey River Argus, 11 June 1935, Page 6

HARVIE GAS TURBINE

New Zealand Invention ENCOURAGING REPORT. AUCKLAND, June 6 . An encouraging report on the possibilities of the Harvie gas turbine, an Auckland man’s invention, has been made by Professor A. M. Low. of Loudon, one of the world’>» leading authorities on engineering, who has expressed a desire to be appointed technical consultant to the company. The inventor, Air E. Harvie. is at present in London supervising the construction of 'tin turbine which will be used to demonstrate before representafives of prominent .firms and other interested “I have examined the drawings and some of the preliminary calculalions m connection with the Harvie gas turbine, and I have formed a satisfactory opinion as to its eventual possibilities,” Professor Low states in his report. “There can be -no doubt 'that 'the production of a successful turbine would be of immense importance from the aspect of the prime mover, which could avoid many disadvantages inherent to engines of a recipiocating type. K quite obvious that development shou'.n first be attempted for stationary plant purposes, although from the automobile standpoint therma.l efficiency is probably of less importance than smoothness and so-called flexibility of opciation. The cost of production of Uhe Harvie invention should not be excessive and would require no special equipment for general manufacture.’’ After reviewing some of the technical features of the turbine, Professor Low continues: “I am able strongly to recommend that further investigation and experiment should be conducted without delay in view of the important commercial uses which may arise. I have spent a great many years investigating the possibilities of internal combustion turbines, and I am particularly interested in the in vention which you have outlined to me. ” ' I < In a letter to Mr. Harvie the professor states: “As to its commercial when the experiments have proved successful I need make no mention, for the time has undoubtedly come for some change of this kind. I would like to act as consultant to your company in this country.” A cablegram received to-day by the Auckland directors of the company stated that Professor Low had advised that the prospect was promising. In a letter Air. Harvie said that a further communication from Professor Low contained the following:—“This proposition is so intensely interesting and has such big possibilities that the main difficulty to overcome is one of prejudice rather than that of mechanical construction.”