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I think the important point here is that even pilots dont know the full mechanics of a modern jet engine (AFAIK at least, I don't have an ATPL so not 100% on th
by motives 5y ago
I think the important point here is that even pilots dont know the full mechanics of a modern jet engine (AFAIK at least, I don't have an ATPL so not 100% on the syllabus). They may know basics like the Euler turbine equation and be able to run some basic calculations across individual rows of blades, but they most likely will not fully understand the fluid mechanics and thermodynamics involved (and especially not the trade secrets of how the entire blades are grown from single crystals).
This is absolutely fine, and one can draw parallels in software, as a mid level software engineer working in an AWS based environment wont generally need to know how to parse TCP packet headers, despite the software/infrastructure they work on requiring them.
- ashtonkem 5y ago> and especially not the trade secrets of how the entire blades are grown from single crystals Wait, what? Are you telling me that jet turbine blades are one single crystal instead of having the usual crystal structure in the metal?
- motives 5y agoI'm not a materials guy personally so won't be the best person to explain the exact science behind them, but they're definitely a really impressive bit of engineering. I had a quick browse of this article and it seems to give a pretty good rundown of their history and why their properties are so useful for jet engines https://www.americanscientist.org/article/each-blade-a-single-crystal https://www.americanscientist.org/article/each-blade-a-singl...
- scns 5y agoWow... Mindblowing stuff. Long but woth reading.
- lostcolony 5y agoWell, clearly you're not a pilot. :P https://www.theengineer.co.uk/rolls-royce-single-crystal-turbine-blade/ https://www.theengineer.co.uk/rolls-royce-single-crystal-tur...
- tehjoker 5y agoThey are grown as single metal crystals in order to avoid the weaknesses of joints. They are very strong!