Parsons, Charles Algernon

The youngest son of the famous astronomer Count William Parsons and his wife Mary Ross . He received his home education in a spirit that encouraged innovation and practical skills. His private tutor is scientist Sir Robert Ball . Parsons from an early age showed great interest in technology. On a family yacht traveled along the coast of England and northern Spain .

In 1871–1872, he studied at Trinity College in Dublin and received an award for mathematical ability. In 1873–1876 he studies at the College of St. John , University of Cambridge ; member of the university rowing club; Receives a mathematical degree. Acquaintances characterize him as a person with a strong character, eccentric, unorthodox, shy and modest, with a good sense of humor.

From 1877 he worked at the Armstrong Whitworth plant. Became a "premium" disciple (usually leading to a management career). To get this post he paid £ 500. Transferred to Kitson & Co. in yorkshire .

In January 1883 he married Katherine Basel ( Eng. Katherine Bethell ).

In the years 1884-1889 partner Armstrong Whitworth .

He transferred to Clarke Chapman , becoming a junior partner and head of the electrical department for the production of shipboard equipment.

He invents a multistage jet steam turbine , receives a patent for it in April and immediately uses this engine together with an electric generator of his own design.

In 1886, he developed a cheap method of producing spotlights .

In 1889, he founded CA Parsons and Company with friends in Heaton ( Eng. ) To manufacture steam turbines of his system, dynamos and other electrical equipment. Forced to use a less efficient design, fighting for patent rights with Clarke Chapman . In 1894, returns the patent itself.

In 1893, he built a small, lightweight, steam engine that he used in a helicopter and in a glider. The helicopter rises several yards and the glider flies about 100 yards at a height of 20 feet .

His new company is making great strides in the design and supply of turbo-generators in power plants around the world.

In 1894, together with his friends, he founded the Marine Steam Turbine Company and received patents for their marine use. Destroyer " Turbine " laid August 2.

In 1897, "Turbine" makes a brilliant access to the world stage, showing a high speed at the maritime parade in honor of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in Spithead .

In 1898, he founded Turbinia Works in Walsend ( Eng. ).

In 1898 he became a member of the Royal Society of London ^[1] .

In 1899, the Royal Navy of Great Britain takes into operation experienced destroyers HMS Viper and HMS Cobra . On both ships installed Parsons turbines.

Around 1900, he is experimenting with amplifying sound and completing them with the creation of the first device for amplifying music ( English ), 20 years before the creation of an electric amplifier. However, the result is ambiguous. One of the reactions to this was:

“Have you heard of an oxophone (auxetophone)? I hope not! It will take all the turbines of Mr. Parsons to take the long-suffering humanity beyond the limits of the audibility of his diabolical invention ”(“ All Mr. Parsons ”).

In 1900, at the World Exhibition in Paris, the Turbinia boat demonstrates high speed on the Seine . After the disassembly "Turbine" exhibited in the Museum of Science in London .

In 1901, the first passenger ship was laid with the King Edward steam turbine ( Eng. ).

In 1902, the Royal Navy launches the destroyer HMS Velox equipped with a turbine. Spent more than £ 30,000 and 25 years in an attempt to create methods for the production of artificial diamonds that are being successfully applied now. Although after “several thousand experiments, and much more time for analysis,” he had to admit defeat in the production of his own diamonds. Receives the Rumford Medal from the Royal Society of London .

In the years 1905-1906 President of the Society of Marine Mechanical Engineers .

In 1909, he refitted the Vespasian cargo liner with turbine engines and obtained a successful result.

In 1911 he received a knighthood .

In 1921, he buys Derby Glassworks and makes significant improvements in the production of optical glass.

From 1923 to 1925 President of the Institute of Physics .

In 1925, he buys Sir Howard Grubb's company and is engaged in the business of astronomical telescopes . His prototype lightweight honey-comb opto-mirror fore-shadow meets the needs of astronomers.

In 1927 he was awarded the Order of Merit . In 1931 he was elected a foreign corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR ^[2] .

On February 11, 1931, after an illness in Jamaica, Sir Charles dies on board the Duchess of Richmond . Lady Parsons dies at home on October 16, 1933.

In 1961, "Turbine" rebuilt and put on display in Newcastle . In 1983-1996, Turbineia was restored and exhibited in the special gallery of the Newcastle's Discovery Museum .

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  Parsons' first steam turbogenerator, which he presented at an exhibition in Newcastle in 1887. 17 such generators in the order of presentation provided coverage of the entire exhibition.

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  The first Parsons turbogenerator with a capacity of 1 MW installed in commercial operation at one of the plants in Germany (1899).

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  The first sea vessel with Parsons engines is the Turbine launch at full speed (1897).

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  Fearless is the first military battleship in the world on which Parsons' steam turbine engines were installed, which allowed the battleship to reach a record speed for ships of this class (1906).

• Scientific papers and addresses of the hon, Camb., 1934.
• Radzig A. A. , Development of a steam turbine, L., 1934;
• B. V. Kuznetsov , Development of Heat Engines, M.-L., 1953;
• Shlyakhin P., N. , Steam Turbines, 3rd ed., M.-L., 1960.

• Chronology of Charles Parsons Archives Birr Castle (Eng.)