Great warships

Chapter 1281: No more pretending, let’s show our cards

"There will be absolutely no problems with our powerful warships! The Type 45 destroyer is the pride of our Royal Navy!" Benjamin said angrily, "There must be no problems, absolutely not!"

He was practically roaring, roaring at everyone.

The Rolls-Royce people lowered their heads and said nothing until Benjamin finished his rant, then looked at them and asked, "What exactly is the problem with the power of the Type 45 destroyer? Is it, as the Orientals analyzed, a problem with the mid-stage preheating energy recovery system?"

Hearing his question, Conrad raised his head and said, "Of course not. How could there be any problem with the products produced by our Rolls-Royce? I can guarantee that there is no problem!"

"I don't think so either. The Orientals are pointing fingers there just to influence our thinking and lead us onto the wrong track!" Benjamin said.

"That's our BAE company's problem?" Another person present was annoyed: "I can guarantee that there is no problem with our integrated power system for the entire ship! The system on the Queen-class aircraft carrier has no problem, so how could there be a problem on the Type 45 destroyer? It's obviously a gas turbine problem, and you still don't admit it!"

"Weston, I didn't say it was your BAE company's problem. Why are you so excited?" Conrad said.

"If it's not a problem with the power generation system or the power grid system, then what else could it be?" Weston said.

Conrad spread his hands and said, "I don't know. Maybe it's just a random malfunction?"

"What do you mean by accidental failure? Your system will fail when the temperature exceeds 25 degrees Celsius. This has been verified. The reason is the unreliable system you bought from the United States! Do you dare to test it on the bench?"

Conrad shook his head: "No need to test, our gas turbine is fine! I guarantee it with the reputation of our Rolls-Royce company!"

Benjamin frowned: "Now is not the time to discuss this. We must let the outside world know that there is no problem with our Type 45 destroyer!"

Everyone was stunned. What was Benjamin thinking? Now was not the time to solve the problem? Then when was the time? Compared to solving the problem, he actually cared more about saving face?
However, from his point of view, it is understandable. After all, the Type 45 destroyer is the most advanced destroyer of the British Navy. If there is a problem with this type of destroyer, then does the British Navy still have a future?
We must tell the world that there is nothing wrong with their warships, absolutely no problem!
"I think we can send a batch of flashlights to the Courageous. If there is a power outage, they can still wait patiently in the cabin."

"In addition to flashlights, there should also be some candles, after all, flashlights also need to be charged."

"Well, these need to be resolved as soon as possible. Send a helicopter over to transport them!"

Weston looked at the people present in surprise. What are you doing? At this time, you are actually discussing how to hold a candlelight dinner on a warship?

You guys are really romantic, have you ever thought that warships were used to fight wars? This is not a lighting issue, if all power supply is lost, the warship will be a sitting duck!

"By the way, I will coordinate with the United States to send us one or two Aegis warships as much as possible. We don't have to worry about the air defense mission, but the Type 45 destroyer must be on site. It is related to the dignity of our Royal Navy!"

The meeting ended like this. When he walked out of the meeting room, Weston felt dizzy. Their navy had become like this. Shouldn't they stay in the mainland? Going out would be a joke!

Back at BAE, Weston looked at the second Type 45 destroyer still under construction on the slipway, and his mood was even more complicated. The first ship had a big problem, so shouldn't they find out the cause of the problem? The second ship under construction would still have problems.

At this moment, someone came over hurriedly: "Weston, Weston, we got something good!"

"what?"

"Come and take a look."

So, in the lab, Weston saw a cabinet the size of a suitcase.

"This is the power grid equipment on the Jubail-class warships that we got back from the shipyard of the dog-rich family at a great cost. There are many such things on their warships."

Weston looked over. "What's in this box? Open it and see."

There are only a few components in it, two coils, two resistors, two capacitors, and two high-power thyristors. The result is also very simple, and the components can be identified at a glance. However, the combination of these components...

"These devices can't be used in AC circuits." Weston is a technical expert and can recognize at a glance that there is a thyristor connected to a branch line, and the two sides are connected in reverse, which means that AC power cannot pass through no matter what. It is an absolute circuit break for AC power!

And for DC power, it becomes a reliable solid-state circuit breaker!

A common circuit breaker is an air switch. If a short circuit occurs in the circuit, the air switch will trip quickly to prevent the circuit from burning. This device has a simple principle, high reliability and low cost, but it has some disadvantages: poor current limiting effect, high maintenance cost and short life.

Therefore, if you want the circuits on the warship to work stably, you have to use more advanced circuit breakers. The one in front of you is the most advanced method!
As long as the circuit is short-circuited, it can sense it immediately, and then the coil in the line can maintain a constant current, the capacitor current gradually increases, and the current in the bidirectional thyristor gradually decreases to zero, thus disconnecting.

Its biggest feature is that it allows the short-circuit current to pass through the zero point naturally, working in the most soothing way, and has a simple structure. However, there are only a few manufacturers in the world that can produce such high-power thyristors.

"Could it be that the power supply system used by the Orientals is different from ours?" At this moment, Weston seemed to have realized something: For a long time, our side's integrated ship power, electromagnetic catapults, etc. were not mature, while the Orientals' equipment matured quickly and was used in large quantities. It turned out that the route taken by the Orientals was different from ours!
"I want to know if the Jubail-class destroyer needs to synchronize multiple generators when using them?" Weston continued to ask.

“No need, start it anytime, and shut it down anytime when you are done.”

"Damn it, we were deceived. They were shouting about how advanced the medium-voltage AC technology was, while secretly using medium-voltage DC technology!" Weston gritted his teeth and said, "Too much, too much!"

This DC circuit breaker explains the problem: the power supply network in the warship is direct current. At the same time, the grid connection of the generator also explains the problem.

The biggest challenge with alternating current is grid connection. The currents output by the two generators must be synchronized. If one outputs a peak and the other outputs a trough, the two currents will directly cancel each other out and all become heat, and the grid will burn out instantly.

As long as the positive and negative poles of direct current are connected correctly, there is no need for synchronization at all. You can start and stop at any time!
"Isn't our medium-voltage AC technology also very advanced?" asked the subordinate.

"What's so advanced? Our medium-voltage AC has experienced various faults, but the Easterners' warships have always been very stable. Doesn't that prove something is wrong? However... it's not that easy for us to switch technology routes."

They have been researching the medium-voltage AC route for so many years, and suddenly they threw it all away and started on a new track. That is not easy!
So many devices need to be redeveloped, and supporting factories need to be found. The previous parts manufacturers may even go bankrupt...

Although they don't admit it, they know in their hearts that the Eastern technology route is correct. Just look at the facts! The most mature ones in the East, the British and the American ones, are now facing various problems, especially the catapults used on American aircraft carriers...

Everyone was deceived by the Orientals. They used the most correct technical route, medium-voltage direct current, and announced to the world that medium-voltage alternating current was the direction. As a result, everyone fell into the ditch.

Even if we know it now, I'm afraid we can't change it!

"Dongfang has the most advanced direct current transmission technology in the world, so all their equipment is ready-made. If we want to develop it, all the equipment will need to be developed from scratch, and the investment will be astronomical!" Weston said, "We don't have that much money right now, so we might as well find a way to continue to improve medium-voltage AC."

Even if there were no external reasons, they would not be able to switch tracks, not to mention that now the Type 45 destroyer is encountering the problem of frequent brake drop.

"The technical route of the East needs to be strictly sealed. It must not be spread outside."

Weston believed that the failure of the Type 45 destroyer was caused by the wrong technology used in the gas turbine, similar to what the Orientals said. However, Rolls-Royce did not admit it, and Benjamin did not want to pursue it. He just wanted to get away with it.

If we say now that the technical route is wrong, it will be easier for Rolls-Royce to shirk responsibility and put all the blame on the medium-voltage AC power supply system developed by their BAE company.

Just pretend you know nothing!
Of course Weston didn't know that this kind of thing could not be kept secret at all. Just as they determined the East's technical route, in less than a day, people on the other side of the ocean also knew about it.

"In fact, when we were researching, we knew that medium-voltage DC had greater advantages, but this technical route was too radical, so we chose a safe solution first."

"Yes, it's all because we started the research and development too early. If we had done it later, we might have chosen the medium-voltage DC route!"

Listening to everyone's discussion, Brian's face was grim. What did he mean? He had been researching for more than ten years, no, more than twenty years, but it was still not mature. After all this time, was the technical route wrong?
Now, the catapults on Ford-class aircraft carriers are still having problems. What should we do next? First remove the electromagnetic catapults and replace them with steam catapults, and then wait for the domestic development of advanced medium-voltage direct current electromagnetic catapults?

That may take another 20 years! In these years, the US Navy will not be able to use electromagnetic catapults?

How many years behind the Orientals would that be?

They have been overwhelmed recently because of the events in the Mediterranean, but this technical route is related to the development of the navy and cannot be ignored.

"We should make preparations for both situations. On the one hand, we should continue to promote the research and development of medium-voltage AC catapults and strive to make them mature. On the other hand, we should also formulate a project for the research and development of medium-voltage DC electromagnetic catapults. No, the power supply system of the entire warship should also be switched to medium-voltage DC!"

“How many years will it take to study that?”

“I hope it will be mature by 2020.”

2020? Is it possible to develop a new technology in more than ten years?
No one has any hope. Perhaps it would be good if it can be developed by 2030.

However, if you want to start research now, you have to apply for funding from Congress, and this application for funding naturally cannot be hidden.

Qin Tao, who was sitting at home and originally planning to watch the Mediterranean Sea, did not wait for good news from the Mediterranean, but instead received news that the US Navy was going to take the medium-voltage direct current route.

"It seems that they know our technology route." Qin Tao said: "It's already pretty good that they have kept the secret for so many years. If they want to build it, let them build it. Why don't we just promote it?"

Wu Shengli glanced at Qin Tao and said, "Will this publicity make it easier for you to sell warships?"

"Of course, we want to let the whole world see that we have the most advanced technology here." Qin Tao said: "This is how we can show our pride and honor as Chinese people!"

Don't so many people think that the West is more advanced? Now let them know that it is wrong to go abroad, the most advanced technology is here!
"Well, it's time to publicize it. I guess the British will be furious after seeing it."

Wu Shengli was already familiar with Qin Tao and knew what Qin Tao was going to do next.

That afternoon.

"Dear journalists, welcome here." Qin Tao looked at the reporters in the hall and said, "We are holding this press conference today mainly to announce a brand new technology. In the past, we have not introduced it correctly for the sake of confidentiality. Today, I will correct it for you."

Click, click!
Before the introduction began, the cameras below started filming non-stop. Xu Zhengyang stood next to Qin Tao, looking at the crowd vigilantly.

There is bulletproof glass in front, and everyone undergoes strict inspection when entering the door. However, nothing is foolproof, and one must always be vigilant. Qin Tao must not allow any accidents to happen.

"As you all know, the United States has recently begun to promote the development of medium-voltage direct current technology. They plan to use medium-voltage direct current for the ship's integrated power system, as well as medium-voltage direct current for electromagnetic catapults and electromagnetic arresting cables." Qin Tao did not intend to say much, so a brief introduction would suffice: "I can tell you that this is the technology route currently being used on our warships, medium-voltage direct current!"

The people below were immediately shocked.

"Boss Qin, may I ask if you have been promoting medium voltage AC over the years and are you misleading the West?"

"Of course not." Qin Tao said, "The West began to study integrated power systems in the 1000s and introduced the medium-voltage AC route at that time. Later, British aircraft carriers and the US DDG- all used these technical routes to equip warships. In order to keep it secret, we announced to the outside world that we used the same technical route as the West. It was just for confidentiality. We have never tried to mislead the West."

Qin Tao finished speaking and looked at the people present. "We have always been very honest. We never say one thing and do another. Some people have been saying for decades that large aircraft carriers are targets and that small and medium-sized aircraft carriers are the trend. Then they started to build large aircraft carriers, one bigger than the other. We will never be like them."

Of course it is clear who this sentence is directed at.

"Not to mention the Star Wars in the 1980s, how some people brought down the Red Empire through strategic deception. We won't do that, saying one thing and doing another." Qin Tao added some more chips.

Anyway, Qin Tao has long been a thorn in the eyes of the Americans, and he is not afraid of offending the Americans. If the person asking the question below still wants to fish in troubled waters, then I will slap your master in the face.

"Mr. Qin, what are the advantages of medium voltage DC over medium voltage AC?"

"Of course the advantage is huge. DC power does not change, so the trouble of synchronization is saved. By the way, the Type 45 destroyer was frequently restarted at sea this time. Do you know why? It is because the frequency needs to be coordinated and matched according to a fixed process. Even a microsecond difference will cause synchronization failure."

After talking about the Americans, he went on to ridicule the British. After all, the British were not good people either. Now that he had this opportunity, he must take advantage of it.

"After years of development, our Eastern technology is the most advanced and mature. We welcome all countries to come to us for matching. The Type 45 destroyer frequently breaks down, and we can help solve it. The Ford-class aircraft carrier catapults in the United States still malfunction frequently, and we can also help solve it. As long as you ask us for help, you will definitely get the best solution!"

What a joke! Will the Americans and the British come to the East to solve their technical problems? Of course not!

It is precisely because it is impossible that Qin Tao can say it openly and put on the attitude of a technical expert. If you have any questions, you can come to us for help and we will help you solve them!

This will invisibly raise your own status.

"Excuse me, can the West develop a similar system?"

"I don't know about this, but I want to say that we can develop mature technology because we have the most advanced power transmission technology in the world! UHV, ultra-high voltage transmission, direct current transmission, we have absolute say here, and our standards are world standards!"

Westerners can't do it because they don't have the technical reserves. The most advanced technology in the world is right here in the East!
Who else does not have national self-confidence and pride? Let you know that we are no worse than foreigners, and our standards are the world's standards!
Everyone present was shocked.

Isn’t what Mr. Qin said too domineering?

Is it really?

Of course, after returning, many reporters quickly checked the information or went to other relevant departments to investigate, and then came to this conclusion: Yes, the Eastern standard is the world standard!
(End of this chapter)