DIESEL ENGINE DESIGN

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1931, Page 3

DIESEL ENGINE DESIGN

EX-AUCKLANDER’S SUCCESS. DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TYPE. An important contribution to the designing of marine Diesel engines has been made by Air. E. H. Friend, a former resident of Auckland, who, after 14 yeare’ absence, has returned on a brief visit. For the past seven years he has been engaged in England and Germany in Diesel engine development, and he Is one of the designers of the Friend-Bentley engind and a director of a company which is to place that engine on the market shortly. In contrast to the engines of motorvessels visiting Auckland, v/hich are all single-acting, with idling strokes, the Friend-Bentley motor is a double-acting two-stroke, with every stroke a power stroke. So far only small experimental engines have been made, but next year a four-cylinder engine of 8400 h.p. is to be constructed to the FriendBentley designs. “The ultimate type of heavy oil marine engine has not yet been settled, said Mr. Friend. “The tfide range of designs has confused shipowners, but it seems inevitable that, following the trend of marine steam engines, the ultimate -marine Diesel engine will also be double-acting, with every stroke powered. The Danish and. German makers already have adopted this type. The only large country which is not. making progress with the design and installation of the Diesel engine is the United States, where the steam turbine is still installed in large ships.” Instancing the growing demand , for the marine Diesel engine, Air. Friend said that in 1923, the tonnage of motori ships afloat was 1,666,000. By 1927 it had grown to 4,270,000, and last year the tonnage was 8,096,000. The latest official figures showed that more motorships than steamers are under construction in shipyards at present. Air. Friend, strongly emphasised the need for thorough search for patents in t-he older countries before inventors applied for patents in designs. His company had originated the system of patent \lesign recording now followed by other designers and by technicians in Russia and Italy. The system at present in use in New Zealand required, considerable alteration, both as to classification and facilities for search, said Mr. Friend. A systematic investigation of engine patent designs and a close study of all land and sea engine trials were essentials if companies or designers were to keep abreast of technical development. ThAt was why it was almost compulsory for an engine designer to work in technically advanced countries such as England, Germ&ny and Denmark.