The Ming Dynasty did not revolutionize

Chapter 10 My Son is a Genius
Zhu Jianxuan has no dissatisfaction with his laboratory, but also nothing he is particularly satisfied with.

Anyway, this is the only way in this era.

So he listened to the eunuch in charge's introduction to other facilities with no expression on his face the whole time.

Finally, they arrived at the factory where the steam engine was installed. When Song Wendao personally introduced the steam engine to Zhu Jianxuan, Zhu Jianxuan was actually a little surprised.

When many modern people think of mechanical equipment, they basically think of things that are extremely complex, sophisticated, or huge.

When we mention steam engines, we might even think of steampunk-style images.

But the original steam engine was really very simple.

It is a boiler with a metal cylinder, a few pipes and valves, and at most a few water tanks and buckets.

Their main purpose is to carry water.

However, there was no typical water pump structure of later generations. The working logic at that time was somewhat similar to a syringe sucking water, using changes in air pressure to generate suction.

First, fire up the boiler to fill the metal cylinder with steam, then close the inlet and outlet valves of the cylinder.

Then spray cold water inside and outside the cylinder to cool it down, the steam in the cylinder will condense, and the air pressure in the cylinder will drop rapidly.

At this time, open the water inlet valve to "suck" the water below up.

Then close the water inlet valve, open the drain valve, and drain the pumped water outside.

Next, water vapor is injected into the cylinder again, and the cycle repeats.

The main improvement of the Newcomen steam engine was to separate the container for pumping water from the cylinder and use the piston and connecting rod to push and pull a special water pump.

Watt's early improvements to the steam engine mainly involved separating the condensation stage from the cylinder to avoid wasting heat by repeatedly cooling the cylinder.

The Song steam engine in front of him had already reached the level of Watt's early improvement stage.

Probably more mature than what Watt himself is currently producing.

However, the valve still needs to be opened and closed repeatedly during operation, and there is no way to automatically cycle back and forth.

When Song Wendao introduced his design, although he was obviously a little proud, his interest was obviously not very high.

He obviously didn't think that the five-year-old prince in front of him could understand what he was saying.

Including fuel utilization, potential heat waste, air pressure and power calculation, etc.

However, Zhu Jianxuan could actually roughly understand his ideas, but it was a little difficult to comprehend.

It’s not because the content is too profound, but because it is too superficial and unsystematic. The key is that it is not the set of statements that you are used to.

When Zhu Jianxuan finished Song Wendao's introduction, he asked a question directly:
"Has Engineer Song ever thought about how to make the steam engine run continuously on its own, instead of opening and closing the valves for each cycle?"

Song Wendao looked at Zhu Jianxuan with some surprise:
"This is the direction I'm researching, but I haven't yet completed a feasible design..."

Zhu Jianxuan inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief, opened the small schoolbag he carried with him, and took out a few drawings he had drawn:
"Then Mr. Song, take a look at this design."

That was the schematic diagram of an early traditional reciprocating steam engine that Zhu Jianxuan found from his memory.

Even the earliest steam engine in my memory was very mature and even advanced compared to that era.

It can be used directly as a source of power to drive other textile machines and machine tools, and can be used directly on trains and ships.

However, the drawings drawn by Zhu Jianxuan were just schematic diagrams that had been seen in popular science materials.

Zhu Jianxuan does not remember any available production drawings of modern steam engines.

Even if you remember the drawings, it doesn't mean much. The machines that could be made with the industrial level of the previous life may not be feasible with the current technological level.

Instead, the basic schematics are more useful.

It can be used as a reference for the craftsmen in this world, allowing them to actually verify the design ideas and draw production drawings that are in line with the current era. This is how the early designs of new things are done.

First, we need to have an idea that conforms to the laws of nature and mechanical logic, then we need to conduct physical verification to see whether the idea is feasible, and finally we need to make a mass-produced product.

The people involved will not feel too abrupt.

Song Wendao looked at the drawings in front of him, and his eyes lit up quickly after reading the descriptions and introductions on them:

"This... two cylinders working alternately? This design is really ingenious.

“Once the machine is started, there is no need for people to control the opening and closing of the valves, and it can continue to operate in a continuous cycle.

"In this way, the utilization rate of heat will be higher, and the speed of pumping water will be greatly increased..."

Song Wendao flipped through the papers at the back and subconsciously exclaimed:

"Yes, yes, yes, this way it can not only be used to pump water, but can also directly drive vehicles, machines, and even ships.

"Indeed, that's how it should be. The two cylinders drive the flywheel to rotate, which naturally drives the wheels and paddles.

“This is a truly groundbreaking design that will break the limitations of water power on all machines!

"In the future, factories will no longer need to be built near rivers."

Song Wendao became obviously excited, his hands began to tremble involuntarily, and after flipping through the drawings, he couldn't help but ask loudly:
"May I ask, Your Highness, which master craftsman designed this?"

Zhu Jianxuan felt a little embarrassed when he saw Song Wendao's big reaction and didn't want to say that this was his design.

After all, I copied the schematic myself.

But it is obviously impossible to say that it was invented by Watt. Even if Watt himself were here at that time, he would not know that the steam engine could be designed in this way.

Zhu Jianxuan was a little reserved, but Zhu Zhonglin next to him couldn't help laughing and said:
"This was not designed by any craftsman. It was designed by my son Jian Xuan himself."

Song Wendao was stunned when he heard this:
"Ah - Your Majesty... Your Majesty, please forgive me. I am being rude. Your Majesty, are you saying that this was designed by Your Highness?"

Zhu Zhonglin was very happy now, so he did not take Song Wendao's impoliteness to heart, but continued to speak loudly and proudly:
"That's right, my son Jian Xuan is a genius——"

Song Wendao subconsciously glanced at Zhu Jianxuan, as if he wanted to confirm whether he was a five-year-old child or a master in his fifties or sixties.

Obviously, that is a five-year-old child, but his temperament is much calmer than that of an ordinary child.

Only then did Song Wendao realize that this child had not behaved like a normal child since he appeared, but rather like an adult.

Song Wendao felt that he had finally experienced what it meant to grow old at a young age.

I also saw what a genius is.

Song Wendao pondered for a few seconds and then spoke his thoughts incoherently:
“Your Highness is truly a genius, and this design is truly exquisite.

"I...I beg Your Majesty to allow me to stay in your laboratory and build this new steam engine.

"I can't wait any longer..."

Zhu Zhonglin was very happy, and then he looked at Zhu Jianxuan with a smile:
"Xuan'er, what do you think?"

Zhu Jianxuan said quickly:

"Of course I hope that Engineer Song can stay, but he is a craftsman of the Royal Academy of Engineering, so this matter certainly needs the final decision of the emperor."

Zhu Zhonglin was very satisfied with this answer.

I feel that there is nothing about this son that makes me dissatisfied:

"Okay, in that case, Mr. Song will stay in Xuan'er's laboratory to help out for the time being."

(End of this chapter)