What I Now Know About Jet Engines

Instructional Video

As an engineer, specifically one oriented towards the complexities of infotech and digital stuff, I understand the interplay of various subsystems in an architecture of data provision and knowledge augmentation. In otherwords I know what it takes to hold the integrity of such applications together. Though I admire many other technologies, like automotive, power and aviation systems I have only a high level grip. This morning I found a guide through the components of a modern jet engine that was immensely impactful on my understanding and I am just bursting to share it with you.

Start with this:

And then if it tickles your imagination, go watch the entire playlist.

Several years ago I was responsible for tracking data from the APUs of our major customer Qantas. It was the first time that I was attracted to doing analytics on sensor data from mechanical and embedded systems. Watching the jet engine videos reminded me how well engineered systems evolve from simpler susbsystems that have their own small perfections.

Specifically, I can envision a team of engineers working on each of the many components running off the power of the jet engine. Obviously it develops thrust, but it also develops pneumating pressure and electricity. The integradted drive generator (IDG) generates electricity, and there’s one for each engine. The current oscillates at 415Hz. I never knew that. Finding out why is easy now…

When an AI can develop this level of detailed video and animation, then that will be saying something superb. For the time being, they’re still in highschool with a very big library.