Helicopters - awesome machines.
From my understanding, & I'm quite certain I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, helicopter's main rotors are powered by a gas turbine - basically hot gas is squeezed past some blades to spin a shaft which is mechanically connected to the mast which spins the rotors which pushes air down with enough force to lift the whole contraption and off it flies.
It seems likely to me that a percentage of the engine's energy is always going to be lost in the conversion through the turbine, gearing, bearings, blades etc.
Would it be less efficient to generate lift straight from the hot gassy bit?
Ducted down, Harrier jump jet style, through a number (um...say 6) of 'thrusters' would surely require less energy to produce the same lift. Might even require less lift due to not having to carry rotors & tail booms around too.
Any thoughts, besides get a fucking life.
Mr John
From my understanding, & I'm quite certain I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, helicopter's main rotors are powered by a gas turbine - basically hot gas is squeezed past some blades to spin a shaft which is mechanically connected to the mast which spins the rotors which pushes air down with enough force to lift the whole contraption and off it flies.
It seems likely to me that a percentage of the engine's energy is always going to be lost in the conversion through the turbine, gearing, bearings, blades etc.
Would it be less efficient to generate lift straight from the hot gassy bit?
Ducted down, Harrier jump jet style, through a number (um...say 6) of 'thrusters' would surely require less energy to produce the same lift. Might even require less lift due to not having to carry rotors & tail booms around too.
Any thoughts, besides get a fucking life.
Mr John
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