Guns VS guns

There has been much said lately about the ban of the very popular ammunition for the AR 15 rifle.  Let’s review some basic statistics.  The slug for the .223 round has a mass (weight) of four grams.  That is less that a five cent coin.  The muzzle velocity is 3240 feet per second.  The muzzle Energy is 1280 ft.lbs.  The round is designed for penetration, not massive damage. 

Compare that to the 12 gauge shotgun.  A “deer slug” in a 12 g size (roughly ¾”) has a weight of 37.8 grams.  That is over 9 times that of the AR 15 round.  The muzzle velocity is much less, 1875 feet per second but the muzzle energy is 2989 ft.lbs. That is over twice that of the AR 15 round.  The round is designed for maximum damage, much like that of the inhumane minie’ ball used during the civil war. The exit wound on a deer carcass as a result of a 12 g. round is larger than that a human hand can cover.  It would be the same if used on a human being.

The AR 15 rifle costs about $1500 retail.  A used 12 g. shotgun can be purchased for as little as $50.  Which weapon is a deranged individual likely to get his/her hands upon?  Which weapon presents the greater danger to society?  You must judge that for yourself.  The above statistics can be confirmed by a visit to Wikipedia or by a visit to www.midwayusa.com

Tesla power train

The following may be a bit technical but I do get serious from time to time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

I was watching a “factory made” segment yesterday about the Tesla electric car.  They said the car developed 450 hp.     W H A T??      I looked it up on Wikipedia.  It said the car developed 248 HP. That is still way too much for an AC motor.  They said that the motor weighed only 70 pounds and was a 4 pole A.C. induction motor.

The stator looked to be about the same size as a G.E.  80 frame hermetic motor.  The 80 frame stator core punchings weigh 10 pounds per inch of stack.  A 9 inch stack core would weigh 90 pounds and develop only 50 HP at 1800 rpm. (G.E.Spec) ,  that is 5.55 hp per inch of stack.  A 70 pound stator would be 7 inches long and develop 38.88 hp at 1800 rpm. Then I looked at the Tesla motor speed.  The dang thing turns at 14,000, (yes fourteen thousand) RPM.

The plot thickens.  14000 rpm vs. 1800 rpm (STD 4 pole design synchronous speed) is a factor of 7.77.     7.77 * 38.88hp = 302 hp.  Factor in about 88 % efficiency and 8% slip for the rotor “chasing” the field and you have 244 HP. This is close to the 248 hp claimed by the company.  That entire HP is gained through speed, not brute strength.

The automobile has a single speed, fixed gear transmission.  If the transmission is “fixed”, then the motor speed is variable.  The problem is that an A.C. induction motor speed is not variable.  The only way to vary the speed would be to vary the frequency of the input voltage.  Now let’s calculate the actual CPS of the Tesla motor.    60/1800 = X/14,000.  X = 466 CPS.   There was a three-cylinder Harnishfager diesel generator used on the Nike Hercules missile system. The generator operated at 400 CPS, which was considered the same as D.C.  -----  No inverter required???

Someone is going to wonder why we have 200 HP motors the size of a 55 gallon drum when we can get it from a motor the size of a 10 quart bucket.

Cure for the "German Goiter"

Several years ago I wrote a satirical article on the "German Goiter".  I cannot remember if I posted the following and have no record of it in my files. Please excuse me if it is a repeat.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have received much positive correspondence on my last epistle about the German goiter from my adoring fans.  I shall, therefore, update you on the progress being made by yours truly.

The first good news is that I did get a grant from the “Green Energy lobby”.  The reasons are as follows:  The diet used to cure the malady is mostly green.  Things like grass, tree leaves, pond scum and yes, even the “Musgos” (must go in the garbage) from over ripe refrigerator items.  Most are not green unless mildew has set in but you are guaranteed that you will not over eat such items. Not only is the diet green but also cheap.

Another sure-fire way to lose weight is the “cabbage soup diet.”  It consists of cabbage boiled in water.  Nothing else.  No seasoning, no thickening agent.  Nothing.  The good part is that you are allowed to eat as much as you wish.  The bad part is that you can’t stand the stuff.

After you are on the diet for three days, you are allowed to eat several pieces of carrot and celery.  Connie and I both tried the diet at the same time.  We almost came to blows over the carrots and celery.  After a week you were allowed to eat one small baked potato.  You have no idea how heavenly a plain baked potato can taste until you have been on the cabbage soup diet for a week.  On a serious note you become slightly aware of what it is to be really hungry.  It makes you wonder how many people in the world would fight to have that cabbage soup that you cannot stand. After the baked potato both Connie and I decided that the cabbage soup diet was not for us.

On a non-related subject; my daughter gave me the devil for using the term “German” when referring to the condition.  She teaches diversity classes and let me know that you NEVER use ethnic descriptions in written matter that might be read by those that could be insulted.  Also out are fat, thin, tall, short, curly haired, reference to an accent and xxxx.  The list goes on and on.  It just about leaves me with “Hey You” when addressing someone