Meredith Effect
Encyclopedia
The Meredith Effect is a term for the use of the hot air from a radiator
to provide thrust
for aircraft.
The concept was devised by Fredrick Meredith at the Royal Aircraft Establishment
(RAE), Farnborough
, prior to World War II
, and incorporated into a radiator-duct design that produced thrust, helping to offset the drag
produced by the radiator.
One of the first aircraft to incorporate a radiator designed to make the use of the effect was the Supermarine Spitfire
.
Radiator
Radiators are heat exchangers used to transfer thermal energy from one medium to another for the purpose of cooling and heating. The majority of radiators are constructed to function in automobiles, buildings, and electronics...
to provide thrust
Thrust
Thrust is a reaction force described quantitatively by Newton's second and third laws. When a system expels or accelerates mass in one direction the accelerated mass will cause a force of equal magnitude but opposite direction on that system....
for aircraft.
The concept was devised by Fredrick Meredith at the Royal Aircraft Establishment
Royal Aircraft Establishment
The Royal Aircraft Establishment , was a British research establishment, known by several different names during its history, that eventually came under the aegis of the UK Ministry of Defence , before finally losing its identity in mergers with other institutions.The first site was at Farnborough...
(RAE), Farnborough
Farnborough Airfield
Farnborough Airport or TAG London Farnborough Airport is an airport situated in Farnborough, Rushmoor, Hampshire, England...
, prior to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and incorporated into a radiator-duct design that produced thrust, helping to offset the drag
Drag (physics)
In fluid dynamics, drag refers to forces which act on a solid object in the direction of the relative fluid flow velocity...
produced by the radiator.
One of the first aircraft to incorporate a radiator designed to make the use of the effect was the Supermarine Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
.