My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 696 The Steam Engine
Zhu Zhanhe wanted to build a car that could walk on its own. The news spread throughout Dahan very quickly, as if it had wings. Dahan Daily even did an interview and report on the matter, which made it even more popular. There was such an uproar that even Zhu Gaoxu went to Zhu Zhanhe to inquire about the progress of the matter.

However, Zhu Zhanhe was not in a hurry about the manufacture of the steam engine. He handed over the steam engine toy and five craftsmen to Tao Qiong, and asked him to organize more craftsmen to create a functioning steam engine imitating the toy. This steam engine required Not high, as long as it can operate normally for a long time.

But this matter is not easy at all for Tao Qiong and the craftsmen. Even if they have a working steam engine toy, it is not easy to use it to imitate a practical steam engine.

For example, Tao Qiong and the others encountered a problem at the beginning, that is, the materials, especially the steel used for the cylinder, must not only be strong and tight, but also wear-resistant. The output of this kind of high-quality steel in Dahan is not high.

However, Dahan has a big advantage, that is, the iron ore here in Dahan is mostly rich iron ore, and the quality is much better than the poor iron ore in the Central Plains. Therefore, the quality of the steel here is also better than that in the Ming Dynasty. The famous Damascus knives are produced here.

Therefore, Zhu Zhanhe did not hesitate to spend a lot of money to bring in a batch of the best steel, coupled with the casting and polishing of the craftsmen, and finally created a qualified cylinder. The cylinder can be said to be the core component of the steam engine. After it was completed, other The parts are much simpler.

So just one month after the cylinder was completed, a steam engine was finally assembled.

"Your Highness, do you want to light a fire?"

In the large work shed, Tao Qiong asked Zhu Zhanhe nervously.

After the assembly of the steam engine is completed, the last step is to proceed, which is the ignition test run. If it can run smoothly, it means that the steam engine has been successfully developed.

"Light it up!"

Zhu Zhanhe gave the order, and several guards immediately stood in front of them with shields. The craftsman who lit the fire also wore armor and looked like he was going to the battlefield.

There is no way, no one knows what will happen after the steam engine is ignited. If an accident such as a cylinder explosion occurs, it is likely to cause casualties. Therefore, Zhu Zhanhe specifically told these craftsmen to take personal protection.

As the coal under the boiler was ignited, the water in the boiler slowly boiled, and the hot steam rushed into the cylinder, pushing the piston inside to start reciprocating motion.

The movement of the piston also began to drive the connecting shaft, and eventually the flywheel outside began to rotate.

"It's moving! It's starting to move!"

Seeing that the steam engine was running smoothly, Tao Qiong and others outside were all ecstatic, and even Zhu Zhanhe had a somewhat satisfied smile on his lips.

However, before everyone could be happy for too long, they suddenly heard a harsh friction sound from the steam engine. The rotating flywheel suddenly got stuck, and the steam engine began to spurt out hot steam. It was obviously malfunctioning.

"Put out the fire! Cool down!"

When Tao Qiong saw this, he shouted decisively. Immediately, craftsmen poured water to extinguish the fire and cool down the machine. Others opened the exhaust valve to prevent the high-pressure steam from damaging the machine.

But even so, the steam engine continued to make harsh sounds, which was obviously an internal problem.

Fortunately, due to timely processing, the machine did not explode.

"It's all my fault, I've let you down, Your Highness!" Tao Qiong admitted his mistake to Zhu Zhanhe at this time, feeling that all the responsibility lay with him.

"It doesn't need to be said. Long before the steam engine was developed, I told you to be prepared to fail many times. Remember one sentence, failure is the mother of success!"

Zhu Zhanhe didn't care, and instead gave him a bowl of chicken soup.

Seeing how tolerant Zhu Zhanhe was, Tao Qiong blamed himself even more. Then he had people take apart the steam engine to find the cause of the problem.

Zhu Zhanhe did not leave, but watched from the side. After taking it apart, he discovered that there was something wrong with the connecting shaft connecting the piston. It may be that the connecting shaft was not strong enough, causing the connecting shaft to bend, which in turn jammed the piston and even connected the piston. The cylinders were damaged.

"The problem is not that big. The connecting shaft needs to transmit power and bear huge force. It seems that you have to find a way to increase the strength of the connecting shaft."

Zhu Zhanhe pointed out that in later generations, as long as it is related to bearings, the requirements for materials are very high. Although the current steam engines are very crude, they also have certain requirements for materials, which cannot be solved by just an iron rod.

"Your Majesty understands, let's find a solution right now!"

Tao Qiong is also a person who does what he says. The news of the steam engine has spread throughout the Han Dynasty, and may even reach the Ming Dynasty. If they can't do it, not only will they be embarrassed, but Zhu Zhanhe will also be embarrassed. Therefore, Tao Qiong was under great pressure.

"Go and get busy, but again, don't rush, take your time, failure is not terrible, just sum up the experience, and you will succeed one day!"

Zhu Zhanhe said, patting Tao Qiong's shoulder and encouraging him.

In the following period, Tao Qiong and the others conducted many experiments and improvements on the steam engine. As long as Zhu Zhanhe had time, he would come here to look around and help find solutions when encountering problems.

During this period, Tao Qiong and the others conducted several ignition test runs, with mixed results. The best time was that the steam engine ran for half an hour. In the end, it failed because of a design problem that caused excessive wear of the parts.

The worst time was that the cylinders exploded, and a craftsman was too close and was sprayed with hot steam, causing his arm to be scalded.

However, these failed experiences have allowed Tao Qiong and the others to make rapid progress, and the entire steam engine development is also developing in a good direction.

Originally, according to Zhu Zhanhe's idea, it might take three to five years at the fastest from the development of a steam engine to its practical use, but he miscalculated. The steam engine is not as difficult as he imagined. Now, in just three to five months, the steam engine is almost ready to be developed. It worked.

As a result, the water-powered spinning machine that Zhu Zhanhe had previously built was abandoned as soon as it became practical. After all, compared with unstable water power, steam engines not only consume more money, but are much more powerful in other aspects.

That afternoon, Zhu Zhanhe was handling government affairs in Zhan Shi's Mansion. As a result, Tao Qiong ran in with a look of joy and reported: "Your Highness is done! We are done!"

"Did the steam engine succeed?"

Zhu Zhanhe suddenly raised his head and asked very excitedly. In fact, he was mentally prepared for this result, because the last time Tao Qiong and the others tested, the steam engine had been running for more than half an hour. Except for some minor problems, there were almost no major flaws.

(End of this chapter)