Ford Are Testing Gas Turbine in U.S.

26th September 1958, Page 121

26th September 1958

Page 121

Page 121, 26th September 1958 — Ford Are Testing Gas Turbine in U.S.

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IT was revealed last week that the Ford Motor Co., of U.S.A., have been conducting experimental tests for the past 18 months with a gas-turbine-powered truck. Mr. A. L. Haynes, director of engineering research and advanced product study, said the experimental programme had shown great possibilities for the future of automotive gas turbines. Before they could become fully competitive with internal-combustion engines, however, ways must be found materially to reduce manufacturing costs and substantially increase efficiency. The new Ford engine is called the 702 and has been built from components that were tested separately before being assembled. The two major obstacles of turbine wheel cost and heat-exchanger performance had been solved, Mr. Haynes claimed. The 702 engine is rated to develop 160 s.h.p. and has been installed in one of the C-type tilting-cab chassis operating at 14+ tons gross weight_ Tests on the Ford track at Dearborn have shown that the vehicle can climb a gradient of 1 in 3 with ease. Details of its-fuel consumption are not revealed, but the engine, which is of the free-turbine type, has a heat exchanger through which the exhaust gases are passed at a temperature of about 1,000°F. Some of this exhaust heat is transferred to the incoming compressed air before being transferred to the combustion chamber. It is stated that the exhaust gases, as discharged into the air, would not be at higher temperatures than those associated 'with current petrol engines.

DUNSTABLE COMPANY TO CHANGE THEIR NAME

AA NEW office block is being erected at The Square, Dunstable, for the Luton Motor Co. (Dunstable), Ltd., and plans are in hand for a new showroom. extensions to their workshops, and a new building to house the fuel injection service department. As specialists in commercial-vehicle work, the company are to change their name to Luton Commercial Motors, Ltd., to avoid confusion with an associated concern, the Luton Motor Co., Ltd., who concentrate on cars. The new name will operate from next Wednesday, but there will be no change in the nature of the business, and the company will continue as Thames distributors.

ENGINES FOR INDUSTRY

A RANGE of eight petrol, vaporizingPi, oil and oil engines, based on those used on Standard-Triumph cars and Massey-Ferguson tractors, was announced on Tuesday by the new industrial sales division of ,the Standard Motor Co.. Ltd. Units of 18-85 b.h,p. are available for use in works trucks, dump trucks and stationary plant.