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The Effect of Disk Number on Tesla Turbine Efficiency

CSEF · 2013 Applied Mechanics & Structures

Kai E. Marshland · El Cerrito Senior High School, El Cerrito, Contra Costa County

Overview

Objectives/Goals The project examined Tesla turbines to measure how changing the disk number changed the efficiency of the device. Methods/Materials A Tesla turbine was constructed, using bearings, a dowel, and old CDs. Powered by a vacuum blowing out air, the turbine rotated, lifting up a weight, which was timed. The turbine was reassembled with a different number of disks, and the experiment was repeated. Results More disks allowed the Tesla turbine to raise the weight faster, therefore giving it a greater efficiency, up until seven disks, where the device was wider than the vacuum nozzle. Conclusions/Discussion More disks dramatically increase Tesla turbine efficiency, likely due to a greater surface area to utilize air flow.

Summary statement

This project measured how changing the number of disks on a Tesla turbine changed its efficiency.

Help received

Borrowed tools from friend; Father helped edit

Competition history

  • CSEF 2013 Applied Mechanics & Structures · Entry S0319

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Source: California Science & Engineering Fair public projects

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