Chapter 5

1. Parsons’ machine is called a ‘reaction’ turbine, because here the wheel rotates by the ‘reaction’ produced by the steam when it moves over the blades, and undergoes changes in its speed and direction.

2. Fourneyron won a 6,000 franc prize offered by the French Society for the Encouragement of Industry for the development of the first commercial hydraulic turbine. On hearing this, Burdin wrote to Fourneyron, “At least, if I have not made good machines, one will say that I have made a good machinist, which is of still greater worth.”

3. Pelton was an unsuccessful gold miner, and the water turbine was his side interest. The story goes that Pelton was washing his ores with water jet in his farm when a cow came up and pestered him. He ...

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