HOW WOULD YOU LIKE to drive into tomorrow’s service station, select your choice of kerosene, aviation jet fuel, marine or automotive diesel gas or straight gasoline in a car whose engine develops one horsepower per pound of its own weight (total 75), then whisk away at 58,500 rpm with no more sound than a breeze through the trees?
This unusual prospect could become a reality if the aims and efforts of the Williams Research Corp., of Walled Lake, Mich, continue as planned. The first light, economical and compact—about the size of an ordinary breadbox—medium-hp gas turbine engine using a heat-exchange principle has been developed for a wide variety of uses, according to Sam Williams, president of the company. The 75-hp prototype has been built, and run successfully on the Detroit…