Chapter 577 The difference between ancient steam trains and modern maglev trains
After lunch, it was already two o'clock, and the afternoon meeting continued.
Compared with the morning meeting, the seats were partly empty. After all, the catapult project had nothing to do with the Air Force, or even with Mr. Wang and his early warning aircraft radar research and development team.
"Catapults are a must-have for aircraft carriers. With catapults, aircraft carriers can operate more aircraft and achieve higher take-off efficiency." Wu Shengli said: "Currently, the mainstream in the world is steam catapults. However, The electromagnetic catapult has also shown its advanced nature, so we hope to compare and choose the best product. Now, we would like to ask the comrades of the 704th Institute to introduce their research and development results."
There are two domestic 704 institutes, one of which is the aerospace department, and the other is the 704 Institute of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. The latter was established in 1956 and is also an established unit. It mainly develops supporting equipment for ships, involving special machinery and deck machinery. , conveying machinery, special propulsion, anti-rolling devices, cabin machinery, motors and power stations, environmental protection equipment, seawater desalination, special valves, thermal air conditioning, hydraulics, shock and noise reduction, and more than 30 professional categories.
So, it is logical for them to develop steam catapults for aircraft carriers.
Project leader Zhou Weiguo walked up to the podium, turned on the projector, and began to introduce it to everyone.
"As everyone knows, our unit began to develop steam catapults during the last failed project. We overcame many technical difficulties, such as the processing of high-precision cylinders and the welding of large-diameter gas storage tanks. Problems and so on. At present, we have overcome these technical difficulties. As long as the Navy invests more funds, we can build this steam catapult and conduct relevant tests." Zhou Weiguo first introduced the basic situation.
“Have all the technical difficulties been overcome?” Qin Tao also became curious: “How did you do it?”
"Some technologies are solved by ourselves, and some technologies are solved by private enterprises. This is also the experience gained from the blocking rope. Our private enterprises are really crouching tigers, hidden dragons." Zhou Weiguo said.
The steam catapult is currently only mastered by the United States, although Lao Maozi also has it. After all, it has not been installed on the ship yet, and it is not known whether there will be any problems. Lao Maozi himself also felt that it was not reliable enough, so he made a jump deck emergency.
As for other countries, there is no such thing. If the French operate the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, they should buy it ready-made from the United States.
Qin Tao did not expect that the problem would be solved in China, and the technology would be found in private enterprises! This is so surprising!
"Now, what we need to do is to make prototypes, which requires a lot of money. As long as the Navy continues to allocate funds to our project, we can make the samples and put them in our training base. I heard that the 601 Institute We are also manufacturing a specialized catapult-type carrier-based aircraft, and we will definitely be able to catch up when the time comes.”
need money!
If we continue to develop steam catapults, we will need a lot of money! But now, what the Navy lacks is funds, or in other words, the Navy has always been short of funds!
Now, upon hearing this, Qin Tao frowned. He had never liked the steam catapult project because he had full confidence in the horseman. Now, the Navy still has to engage in double insurance. Is it worth it?
"Now, let me introduce the specific content to the leaders." Zhou Weiguo continued: "We first started with the processing of the cylinder. At present, we have trial-produced one section. After testing, it can fully meet the needs of use. We used an advanced grinder... "
The principle of the steam catapult is not complicated and is a popular technology. However, it is very difficult to manufacture it. One of the important difficulties is the processing technology. The cylinder and piston must be tightly fitted, and the precision requirements are quite high. With a length of more than 100 meters, the upper end of the cylinder must be opened, and this opening must be sealed, which places high requirements on processing.
Qin Tao listened carefully to these technical introductions and was thinking about his next speech.
“Okay, our introduction is over.” Finally, Zhou Weiguo finished all the introduction and then bowed and saluted everyone.
“Finally, let’s talk about the budget.” Wu Shengli said.
“If you want to build an experimental device on land, plus the required boilers and other facilities, you will need to invest at least 50 million.” Zhou Weiguo said: “We are confident that this catapult can reach the level of Americans.”
All the naval leaders nodded. Wu Shengli looked at the people on the other side and said, "Next, please let the horseman introduce it to us."
"Hello everyone, leaders, we have completed the scale-down experiment of the catapult, conducted more than 5,000 experiments, and accumulated a large amount of experimental data." Ma Gong stood on the rostrum and said to everyone: "Now, we have the confidence to build a dedicated catapult runway at the land base to complete the catapult takeoff of the carrier-based aircraft. In the morning, we listened to the introduction of the carrier-based early warning aircraft project. We are confident that even if the weight of the carrier-based early warning aircraft increases, If it reaches forty tons, it can be ejected."
Can a forty-ton shipborne early warning aircraft also eject? Suddenly, countless people opened their eyes wide.
The AWACS project has just begun, and no one knows how heavy it will end up being. It is common for an aircraft to be overweight during the development process.
If the electromagnetic catapult can reach this level, it will of course be of great benefit.
“Actually, even if it weighs fifty tons, we can still eject it. At worst, we can just extend the length of the catapult.” Ma Gong said confidently.
Simply, let’s talk about the advantages of electromagnetic catapults.
There are many factors that affect the power of a steam catapult, including the diameter of the cylinder, the length of the cylinder, and the pressure resistance of the cylinder. The British BS-4 steam catapult, the world's first practical steam catapult, has a total length of 40 meters and a stroke of 31.4 meters. It can push a 13.61-ton carrier-based aircraft to a speed of 110 knots or an 18.4-ton carrier-based aircraft. The aircraft pushed to a speed of 78 knots.
The most commonly used super aircraft carrier in the United States is the C-13 steam catapult, which has a stroke length of 99.13 meters and can accelerate a 34-ton object to 185 knots.
So, by continuing to increase the length, can the steam catapult be made more powerful?
the answer is negative. The catapults used by the Americans are already optimized, and their potential has been fully utilized.
The reason is the pressure of steam.
When the steam first enters the cylinder, the air pressure is the highest, the force pushing the piston is the strongest, and the acceleration is the highest. As the steam pushes the piston forward, the volume gradually expands and the pressure will continue to decrease.
Therefore, the American catapult's length of one hundred meters is already the limit. Next, because the pressure of the steam has been reduced to a limit, even if it continues to increase its length, the work it can do is minimal.
The electromagnetic catapult is different. Each section can accelerate and decelerate, and the acceleration and deceleration are adjustable. In this way, when designing the electromagnetic catapult, the length can be increased or decreased as needed. This advantage is Nothing compares to a steam catapult.
A smile appeared on Qin Tao's face. He wanted to eliminate steam catapults, and Ma Gong must have wanted to do the same. The reports currently made by Ma Gong were all promoting the advantages of electromagnetic catapults and combating steam catapults.
Maybe you don’t have to think too much and just listen to the horse worker’s report.
“Since we use electromagnetic ejection, we don’t need to consume precious fresh water. The steam burned from the aircraft carrier’s boiler can be completely recycled within the power system. Let’s talk about the energy storage device next.”
Steam catapults consume a lot of fresh water. American aircraft carriers are nuclear-powered and have special desalination equipment to meet their needs. Domestic aircraft carriers use boilers. If you want to use a steam catapult, you must face the need to refill fresh water. The problem is that a special supply ship must be brought in to refill fresh water every few days, and the fresh water for boilers must be cleaner.
There are advantages everywhere!
“We have developed two types of energy storage devices. Among them, flywheel energy storage has made the fastest progress, and capacitive energy storage technology is still under research.” Ma Gong continued.
His original plan was to engage in capacitor energy storage, but when he discovered that there were many difficulties in this technical route, he quickly transitioned to flywheel energy storage.
The technical theory of flywheel energy storage has been around for a long time. As for practical examples, the most common one is a toy inertial car. When you push it with your hand, the flywheel inside rotates and stores energy. After the car is released, the energy of the rotation of the flywheel is transferred to the car. , allowing the car to go further.
The flywheel energy storage on the electromagnetic catapult system is similar to it, except that the motor drives the flywheel to rotate to store energy. When needed, the flywheel drives the generator to output energy.
"Just like a steam catapult needs a gas storage tank, an electromagnetic catapult also needs to store energy." Ma Gong explained to the people present: "We can simply calculate that the total power consumption of a 30-ton carrier-based aircraft will be ejected and taken off. 38 degrees. Considering the loss of energy conversion, which is about 40 degrees of electricity, it is not a heavy burden on the power supply system of our aircraft carrier. However, this is a completely instantaneous discharge, and the carrier-based aircraft must be completed within two or three seconds. When ejected, the instantaneous power is as high as 60,000 kilowatts, which is 60 megawatts. It is similar to the power generation of a medium-sized hydropower station. If we want to directly use the power of the aircraft carrier, all other systems will have to shut down. Therefore, we need to It’s stored.”
"Currently, the flywheel energy storage device we have developed is 50 megawatts, which only requires the power supply system on the aircraft carrier to provide 10 megawatts of power output. However, we believe that when the aircraft carrier starts construction in the future, our 60 A flywheel energy storage device with a megawatt or 70 megawatt level can be developed, which will not hinder the aircraft carrier’s power system at all.”
“This device can also be used in many other places.” Qin Tao interjected.
Qin Tao also knows about the two technical routes. He is not engaged in these specifically. In short, as long as he can make a breakthrough.
Flywheel energy storage devices can also be used in many ways, such as regulating the load of the power grid system, storing energy during the day and releasing it at night. Another example is electric vehicles, where the energy during braking is stored and then released to charge the battery, etc.
Qin Tao's eyes were on the horse worker's head, where gray hair had begun to appear. In the past few years, the horse worker had been working almost without sleep or food!
“Mr. Ma, you have worked hard to achieve technological breakthroughs,” Qin Tao said.
Ma Gong shook his head: "In order to make the motherland strong, we must work hard. If we want to be ahead, we must be ahead of the United States. The United States has also followed this route. However, this flywheel energy storage technology was not developed by me, but by my students. Wang Dong did it. Although he is young, he is very motivated and has a lot of brains."
Wang Dong in the seat below showed a proud smile. He was very proud to have developed this device. Moreover, his technology was the core technology of electromagnetic catapults!
“Finally, let me introduce our budget. It would cost approximately 80 million to build a ground prototype of this ejection system and use it to eject our carrier-based aircraft.”
In China, the currency is naturally RMB, but when hearing this budget, the people present frowned. It’s expensive! It’s too expensive!
Advanced technology is made with money. This electromagnetic catapult requires a lot of advanced technology, so the price will naturally not be cheap.
“So far, the mature technology in the world is steam catapult. Should our navy be more prudent and take the road of steam catapult first?” A leader present spoke.
A penny can stump a heroic man! The construction of the navy requires money everywhere. Steam catapults are not unusable, and the budget is smaller. So, should we invest in less expensive ones first?
“Mr. Ma, you just said that you have conducted more than 5,000 experiments on the scale model. Do you need maintenance?” At this moment, Qin Tao spoke.
The horseman immediately shook his head knowingly: "No need. During the ground experiment, we are also sure to guarantee this value. No maintenance is required within 5,000 times."
Five thousand times! Even if an aircraft carrier is calculated based on three catapults, it has a capacity of 1,500 ejections. Calculated based on the scale of fifty carrier-based aircraft, that is enough for each aircraft to eject thirty times, which is quite a lot. The scale of high-intensity combat for a month!
What about the steam catapult?
American technology is fully mature and still requires maintenance after five hundred ejections. When watching American blockbusters, there are often shots of aircraft carrier captains asking to eject carrier-based aircraft, but the catapult fails and cannot eject.
Since the technology of domestically produced products is still under development, maintenance may be required every two to three hundred times!
This is not only a matter of dispatch efficiency, but also a matter of money. Although the construction of an electromagnetic catapult costs a lot of money, it will greatly save costs in future use. The whole life cost must be considered!
This is just like domestic fighter jets, which are very cheap to purchase, but the engine needs to be overhauled after 300 hours, and will be scrapped after two overhauls. The total life span is less than 1,000 hours. Western engines often have a life span of 2,000 to 3,000 hours. Calculated in this way, Although they are expensive in the West, the lifetime cost is not expensive.
“It seems that Mr. Qin still supports the electromagnetic catapult project.” The leader said with emotion.
“That’s right, these two catapults are like ancient steam trains and modern maglev trains. Is there any need to say which one I support?”
Hearing Qin Tao's metaphor, everyone was a little amused. However, after laughing, they thought about it carefully and realized that this is really the case. One is steam power and the other is electromagnetic power. These are completely products of two different eras.
Which one should be supported? Or do you support both?
The Navy's original plan was to support both, but now it seems that if the investment in supporting both is too high, the Navy will be unable to bear it!
“It is undeniable that electromagnetic catapult technology is advanced, but we don’t know whether this technology is mature yet. Now, I think our navy should be more cautious.” The leader spoke.
"Everyone, steam catapults are mature, but this is only a mature American technology. Ask the French, are steam catapults mature?" Qin Tao looked at the crowd and continued to fully support Ma Gong: "Yes. For us, whether it is steam ejection or electromagnetic ejection, we are starting from scratch and are new technologies. Why should we choose a backward technological route instead of new ones?"
Only the Americans in the world are familiar with steam catapults. The French do not have this ability. Although the Red Empire has done it before, it has no practical application after all. It is not yet known whether it is mature.
"Tao Zi, just say it all if you want to say it." Wu Shengli said to Qin Tao: "Don't always hide it."
"Okay, then I'll say it." Qin Tao said: "I still have the same old view. The era of steam catapults is about to pass. There is no need for us to take this last train. Instead of wasting precious funds on outdated and obsolete technology , it is better to go all out to develop advanced electromagnetic catapults. After all, there will be a large number of drones in the future, which can only be used by electromagnetic catapults. Our navy will also build amphibious assault ships in the future, and it will be more convenient to use electromagnetic catapults."
The people in 704 said nothing, but their faces were all black.
They knew that Mr. Qin supported electromagnetic catapults, but Mr. Qin was not optimistic about steam catapults at all, which still made them very annoyed.
However, they can only hold it in. After all, Mr. Qin has too much influence on the navy.
“What if we invest all our energy in electromagnetic catapults and the project fails?” a leader asked.
"It won't fail. I can issue a military order!" Ma Gong said: "We have experience with scale models, and this technology has matured!"
“Our navy has to invest a lot of money in this project!” Another leader said: “Besides, time is also precious.”
"As for the funding issue, our Mingzhou Group can guarantee it." Qin Tao said: "If the project fails, all the expenses will be reimbursed by the Mingzhou Group! As for the time issue, we can tentatively schedule it for two years. Use this period of time to test whether the electromagnetic catapult is reliable. If it proves immature in two years, then replace it with a steam catapult. Anyway, the Navy will not be able to start building an aircraft carrier in the next two years."
“Two years is too long, one year at most,” one leader said.
Ma Gong nodded: "As long as the funds are in place, we can use half a year for installation and debugging, and half a year for ejection and take-off experiments. We will use actual actions to prove that our project is reliable."
In this way, driven by Qin Tao, the steam catapult was temporarily shelved.
Wu Shengli nodded: "Okay, let's do it this way. Our navy fully supports the electromagnetic catapult project. It will take one year to verify it. Time will prove everything. If it fails, all expenses will be reimbursed by Mingzhou Group!"
"It won't fail. The Navy will just wait and see. We will have more advanced technology than the United States." Qin Tao said: "We will never gain anything by following others. We must choose brand new technology. Route, lead on the same starting line.”
“Thank you to the Navy for your support, and also to Mr. Qin for your support.” Ma Gong was excited.
"Engineer, have you realized how picky Party A's father is?" Qin Tao said with a smile: "You still have to make money yourself. If you have money, why bother with the navy? You can make the prototype by yourself and let the navy come to your door. Come buy them and sell them for a high price.”
Everyone has long been accustomed to President Qin's ridicule. There is no way, who makes the Mingzhou Group under President Qin the favorite of the navy? They have to coax Mr. Qin.
“By the way, we will start experimenting with catapults in half a year, but carrier-based aircraft may not be able to do it.” Someone suddenly raised this question.
Now, the Navy's carrier-based J-15 aircraft has begun intensive training, and a large number of pilots have been trained. However, these aircraft all take off by ski jump. For ejection take-off, the front wheel needs to be modified and the nose landing gear needs to be strengthened. Waiting for work.
God knows whether 601 can be completed on time.
"Don't worry about this. Our J-31A fighter has already begun intensive test flights. If the J-15 cannot be completed in time, we can use our prototype to test fly first. Anyway, our aircraft has been designed with ejection take-off in mind. needs.”
“I suspect that Qin always wants to promote this fighter to us in this way, trying to become the standard equipment of our next aircraft carrier.” A leader said.
"Congratulations, you got the answer right." Qin Tao didn't hide it.
There was a burst of laughter in the conference room.
The hearts of Zhou Weiguo and others were filled with huge disappointment. They originally thought they could experiment together, but they didn't expect that it would take another year. They would have to wait a year before they had the chance. This was still based on electromagnetic The catapult will fail based on that.
Could it be that their technical route is really outdated?
Reluctantly, they have been walking on this road for several years, but now they find that their work has been in vain!
(End of this chapter)