"Student greets teacher!"
Upon seeing Qin Mo arrive, more than a dozen young people immediately stood up and bowed to her.
"Alright, alright, let's skip the formalities when we're working!"
"The student dares not, but propriety must not be disregarded!"
This scene has happened countless times, but these stubborn students have never dared to show Qin Mo the slightest lack of courtesy.
They were all students at the Naval Academy of Taiwan, and some even had those special "scars" on their faces. However, due to physical or other reasons, they did not become captains or gunners, but instead became engineering students like Shi Jing, eventually becoming mechanics.
In their hearts, Qin Mo was not a prince, but an all-powerful mentor. They were all Qin Mo's students, and they were proud of their status as his students.
"Didn't Seaman come today?"
"Lord Seaman went to the armory today. He's been here for the past few days. Should I go and call him over?"
Qin Mo waved her hand, indicating that it was not necessary. Qin Mo had no one to rely on, and Xi Man was in charge of the research and development of several subjects, so she was simply too busy.
However, Qin Mo knew that this was only temporary. As his young students gradually grew up, Dayuan's industrialization would enter a period of explosive and rapid development.
"How's your research on the high-pressure boiler going? Can it produce steam continuously?"
"Reporting to the master, Lord Seaman has improved the furnace, and it can now continuously produce steam, but... the pressure is still unstable!"
"Oh! Is the safety valve working properly?"
"Yes, the pressure has never exceeded my limit, but sometimes it's intermittent..."
Qin Mo breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the safety valve was working properly, that was fine. As for the unstable steam pressure, it could be adjusted by adding a condenser, adjusting the throttle valve, and so on. But if the safety valve was not safe, that would be a disaster.
From its invention in the 17th century to its maturity in the 19th century, the steam engine underwent numerous changes, evolving from a water pump with a single-direction piston movement to a reciprocating multi-expansion cylinder steam engine equipped with planetary gears. The mechanical drive mechanism within it became increasingly complex.
But these mechanical components were precisely what Qin Mo was least worried about, because he had a well-thought-out plan. The real challenge, however, was the high-pressure boiler. After all, pressure vessels are extremely dangerous, and figuring out how to build one in a world without welding equipment was giving him a real headache.
All he knew was that early steam boilers were made of riveted metal plates, which could withstand very low pressure, and that cast-in-place boilers were heavy and difficult to heat.
In the end, he even proposed the fire-tube boiler, a type of marine boiler that was developed at the end of the 19th century.
Qin Mo provided several solutions for Ximan and others to explore on their own. As long as safety is guaranteed, they are not afraid of failure or spending money, as long as they can create a stable steam generator.
"You've done a great job! I think we're very close to success!"
"Teacher, what exactly is this boiler we're building for?"
The students listened to Qin Mo and never hesitated to research in any direction he asked them to. However, when they saw the gradually taking shape steam boiler, they felt the extraordinary nature of this machine, but they couldn't figure out what it was used for.
"As long as it is equipped with the right machinery, it can replace human labor and work endlessly."
Seeing that his disciple was still completely confused, Qin Mo changed his approach.
"It allows our warships to sail freely to any part of the world, no longer relying on sails!"
"hiss!"
A group of mechanics who had given up their dreams of sailing gasped, their eyes regaining the fervor they had shown when they first entered the naval academy.
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