Chapter 172: Proposal for Technological “Reversal” (3k)

Listening to the difficulties and problems of the engine, Gao Zhendong thought about it and proposed a "technological regression": "How about we use a two-stroke diesel engine?"

The two-stroke engine is not unfamiliar to those who work with engines, at least the principle is not unfamiliar.

Someone immediately objected to this suggestion: "Develop a new two-stroke? It's hard to say whether it will be in time, but compared to a four-stroke, a two-stroke has incomplete combustion, high fuel consumption, and low torque. Isn't it a bit backwards?"

Since there is always some incompletely burned gas in the two-stroke engine that is discharged with the exhaust gas, the fuel consumption is higher, and this thing naturally burns oil.

This oil burning is not like some cars later that would burn oil due to engine defects, but the oil in this engine is directly mixed with the fuel and burned in the combustion chamber.

Gao Zhendong said: "But the two-stroke engine has low technical difficulty, simple structure, and no complicated valve train. The biggest advantage is its small size, and it can do work once with two rotations. Under the same conditions, its power density is much higher than that of a four-stroke engine. For us now, the more difficult question is whether or not there is one."

This is indeed the advantage of the two-stroke. The volume of the Russian two-stroke 5TD/6TD power pack is about 3 cubic meters, while the Western power pack is about 6 cubic meters. The difference in volume and weight is huge.

Of course, this is also related to the relatively simple transmission mechanism of the old Russian tanks.

Their idea is very simple, as long as it meets the standards, it's fine, and as for comfort and so on, they will leave it for later.

"Mr. Gao's words make sense. It seems that it is not impossible to have one."

"Well, low torque is relative. If the power goes up, the torque will definitely keep up."

“It seems to be more compatible with our technical capabilities.”

"Is it okay to modify the one on the 5DL?"

"That machine has limited potential, but it seems to be okay as a backup."

Mr. Luo was unable to make a decision for a moment and looked at the comrade in charge of power: "What do you think?"

The comrade in charge of power also thought about it for a long time: "It is indeed difficult to decide whether to modify the old or make a new one, a new four-stroke or a new two-stroke. Should we study the advantages and disadvantages of several plans and their approximate indicators, write them all into the plan, and then put them forward together when the Defense Work Committee discusses them, and ask them to choose?"

Mr. Luo also thinks this is a solution. After all, there is no concrete product for two-stroke yet. It is just that in principle it has many advantages, but it has not been studied and it is not clear to what extent it can be achieved.

It is better to study it first. When the parameters such as cylinder diameter, compression distance and intake volume are determined, the approximate output power range can be calculated.

This matter was handed over to the comrade in charge of power, and he was the most suitable person to handle it.

At this point, the matter was almost discussed. Gao Zhendong looked at the final meeting resolution and almost laughed out loud. Putting aside some minor differences, except for the night vision equipment and power pack that had not yet been determined, this thing was simply designed based on the T-64. Some indicators or subsystems were even better than the T-64.

President Luo was also very satisfied with the results of the meeting. He smiled and said, "Everyone, it seems that the specifications of our new tank are still very high. If we take it to the world, it will probably be no less impressive."

After saying that, he turned around and joked with Gao Zhendong: "Boss Gao, you have already helped with firepower and protection. When can you show some favor to the comrades in charge of mobility? Haha."

Gao Zhendong said with a smile: "Boss Luo, didn't you just make a suggestion? I'm really optimistic about the two-stroke diesel engine. Let's make one and use it first, and then slowly develop the four-stroke engine, haha."

The comrade in charge of the engine said, "Well, I will estimate the parameters of the two-stroke engine after the meeting. If the volume and weight advantages are outstanding, the other shortcomings are not unacceptable at this stage."

Another day passed, and Gao Zhendong and General Manager He took the improved dual-stable solution to General Manager Luo for a small-scale report.

Mr. Luo looked at their final decision and said with a smile, "Let's make full liquid as a backup first, but the ultimate goal is to make full electric?"

Mr. He nodded: "Yes, I estimated that the full liquid process should be fast and the confidence is still very high. As for the full electric process, with the support of Director Gao, I am now very confident. After all, this thing has too many advantages, it would be a pity not to do it."

"Besides, Director Gao's book has already designed most of the all-electric equipment from principle to configuration. I'm just taking advantage of it, hahaha."

Mr. Luo laughed: "You are lazy. Fine, we will write it into our internal research results."

At this time, Engineer Lu, who was in charge of the engine, ran excitedly to find Mr. Luo.

"Mr. Luo, I've done the math, and two-stroke engines do have some potential."

"Oh? Tell me what's going on."

"Based on a rough estimate, taking into account unfavorable factors such as incomplete combustion, it is estimated that under the same displacement, the power of a two-stroke engine is more than 60% greater than that of a four-stroke engine. In addition, the structure is simpler and the volume can be more than 35% smaller."

"What are the disadvantages?" "Compared to the increase in power, the torque is smaller, but it is within an acceptable range. And the fuel consumption is high. Fortunately, part of the remaining space can be used to increase the fuel capacity, and the stroke is basically not affected. Also, the operation is not as smooth as the four-stroke."

Gao Zhendong smiled and said, "If you want to increase stability, I have a way."

Engineer Lu was overjoyed that Chief Engineer Gao had finally paid attention to us: "I knew that Chief Engineer Gao would have some brilliant ideas. Haha, I'm all ears."

Although Gao Zhendong did not have the design drawings of 5TD/6TD, he knew the basic structure. He took out paper and pen and started drawing.

Mr. He, who already had experience, smiled and said, "As soon as Director Gao drew the picture, I knew there was something good."

Gao Zhendong explained as he drew: "You are considering an inline configuration, right? I am considering changing it to a horizontally opposed configuration. We put the upright cylinders flat, two by two facing each other, remove the cylinder head in the middle of each pair of cylinders, and combine the two cylinders into one."

It looks a bit like a horizontally opposed engine, but the direction of the cylinders is reversed.

As soon as this was said, Engineer Lu's eyes lit up: "This can balance the vibration to the greatest extent, and the mechanism on the top of each cylinder can also be eliminated. Although there is an extra crankshaft, overall, the volume is further reduced."

In a few words, Gao Zhendong also drew the schematic diagram and said, "In this way, the engine is flat, has a low center of gravity, a regular shape, a simple structure, and less dead space, which can maximize its advantages."

"Of course, it's not without its drawbacks. It's wide, but that's fine for a tank. And it's best to use a large-bore, short-stroke piston for this structure. This way, the speed needs to be increased. As you know, the torque at low speeds is just average, but it's still acceptable."

“There are some other minor issues, but they are all acceptable.”

Engineer Lu took this crude schematic and the more he looked at it, the more he thought it was brilliant. It maximized the advantages of the two-stroke engine while keeping the disadvantages within an acceptable range.

Mr. Luo's eyes lit up after hearing this. Perhaps a two-stroke diesel engine could really be used. If there had been no objection before and it was included in the alternative plan to give face to Deputy Chief Engineer Gao, then now that the estimate result and the configuration that Gao Zhendong called "horizontal hedging" have come out, it seems that there is indeed some possibility.

He said to Engineer Lu, "Then you should work hard and do some preliminary research according to Chief Engineer Gao's configuration, and make the relevant contents of our internal demonstration results more solid."
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Gao Zhendong stayed in the Grassland Tractor Factory for eight days, during which he went over the book on tank gun stability with Mr. He and his colleagues. Other achievements were also fruitful. In particular, together with everyone, he basically determined the indicators for the next generation of tanks, and he also played a key role in several of the key indicators.

Now that the matter here is over, he will return to the capital. The three young comrades arranged by General He to study with him in Beijing will arrive in Beijing soon.

When he was leaving, the people at the Grassland Tractor Factory prepared a lot of gifts for him, but he declined them all as he really couldn't carry them all, except for a wool scarf for Lou Xiao'e.

However, he did pick up two 105mm cannon shells and some 12.7mm machine gun shells. Seeing that he liked these, Mr. He also got him a fin-stabilized armor-piercing discarding sabot shell butt and core. This thing is just a metal stick and is not dangerous.

Of course, if it is the armor-piercing bullet from the United States, it is hard to say.

Gao Zhendong did not refuse. As a man, he has no resistance to these things.

After more than 30 hours of shaking on the train, Gao Zhendong returned to Beijing.

It was noon when he got off the train. He did not go to the factory. The train ride was really tiring, even though it was a sleeper.

By bus, on foot, he returned to the yard.

As soon as he entered the door, Gao Zhendong saw Lou Xiaoe.

When Lou Xiao'e saw him, she cheered, jumped up and hung around his neck.

Gao Zhendong was a little surprised: "Xiao'e, why are you here?"

Lou Xiao'e laughed and said, "Didn't you say ten days or so? I thought you would be back soon, so I waited for you at your house during the day these few days. Haha, I caught you."

Gao Zhendong was undoubtedly happy to see Lou Xiaoe the first time he got home. He put down his luggage and took out the things he had brought back.

Lou Xiao'e wrapped a woolen scarf around her neck and turned around in front of the mirror. She was very happy that Gao Zhendong remembered to bring her a gift when he was on a business trip, and she also picked up two machine gun shells.

Seeing that the Chinese New Year was approaching, Lou Xiaoe remembered something: "Zhendong, the Chinese New Year is coming soon, are you going to spend it at my house?"

Gao Zhendong thought about it and decided that the important thing was to live with Lou Xiaoe, so it didn't matter where.

"I'll be here at noon and go to your house at night. This way, we can take care of both ends."

Lou Xiao'e was very happy to get Gao Zhendong's affirmative answer. It was very symbolic to her that Gao Zhendong could spend the New Year at her home.

(End of this chapter)