Previous year question paper for FM (B-TECH Mechanical Engineering 5th)

Unit I Impact of free jets: Impulse – momentum principle, jet impingement - on a stationary flat plate,

inclined plate and a hinged plate, at the center of a stationary vane, on a moving flat plate,

inclined plate, a moving vane and a series of vanes, Jet striking tangentially at the tip of a

stationary vane and moving vane(s), jet propulsion of ships. Problems

Unit II Impulse Turbines: Classification – impulse and reaction turbines, water wheels, component parts,

construction, operation and governing mechanism of a Pelton wheel, work done, effective head,

available head and efficiency of a Pelton wheel, design aspects, speed ratio, flow ratio, jet ratio,

number of jets, number of buckets and working proportions, Performance Characteristics,

governing of impulse turbines. Problems

Unit III Francis Turbines: Component parts, construction and operation of a Francis turbine, governing

mechanism, work done by the turbine runner, working proportions and design parameters, slow,

medium and fast runners, degree of reaction, inward/outward flow reaction turbines, Performance

Characteristics, Problems.

Unit IV Propeller and Kaplan turbines: Component parts, construction and operation of a Propeller,

Kaplan turbine, differences between the Francis and Kaplan turbines, draft tube - its function and

different forms, Performance Characteristics, Governing of reaction turbine, Introduction to new

types of turbine, Deriaz ( Diagonal ), Bulb, Tubular turbines, Problems.

Unit V Dimensional Analysis and Model Similitude: Dimensional homogeneity, Rayleigh’s method and

Buckingham’s ʌ-theorem, model studies and similitude, dimensionless numbers and their

significance. Unit quantities, specific speed and model relationships for turbines, scale effect,

cavitations – its causes, harmful effects and prevention, Thomas cavitation factor, permissible

installation height, Problems.

Unit VI Centrifugal Pumps: Classification, velocity vector diagrams and work done, manometric

efficiency, vane shape, head capacity relationship and pump losses, pressure rise in impeller,

minimum starting speed, design considerations, multi-stage pumps. Similarity relations and

specific speed, net positive suction head, cavitation and maximum suction lift, performance

characteristics. Brief introduction to axial flow, mixed flow and submersible pumps, Problems.

Unit VII Reciprocating Pumps: Construction and operational details, discharge coefficient, volumetric

efficiency and slip, work and power input, effect of acceleration and friction on indicator diagram

(pressure – stroke length plot), separation, air vessels and their utility, rate of flow into or from

the air vessel, maximum speed of the rotating crank, characteristic curves, centrifugal vs

reciprocating pumps, brief introduction to screw, gear, vane and radial piston pumps, Problems.

Unit VIII Hydraulic systems: Function, construction and operation of Hydraulic accumulator, hydraulic

intensifier, hydraulic crane, hydraulic lift and hydraulic press, Fluid coupling and torque

converter, Hydraulic ram, Problems