ESDU Engineer

Jay Leno's steam-driven motorcycle

The methods described in ESDU 94046 (Ejectors and jet pumps: computer program for design and performance for steam/gas flow) and its associated software have been used in the re-design of a high-powered steam-driven motorcycle owned by the American comedian and “chat show” host, Jay Leno.

Mr Leno, who owns seventy two automotive vehicles of all types (including six steam powered cars and one motorcycle), commissioned David Cornell (Cornell Industries Inc.) to develop a machine capable of speeds comparable with equivalent internal-combustion driven bikes. David soon realised that a crucial part of his design was the development of an ejector capable of mixing propane and air at 60 psi with a 15.7:1 weight ratio and maximising the downstream pressure with the minimum requirement of 0.85 to 1.25 inches of water discharge pressure. Having consulted a number of manufacturers, both in the USA and Europe, their twelve to fourteen week delivery schedules prompted David to look into the use of the ESDU data and software to design the ejector himself.

After discussing the problem with Simon Pugh, Group Head of the ESDU Internal Flow Series, David said “This Data Item sounds like exactly what I have been looking for” and purchased a subscription accordingly. Applying the methods described in the Data Item and running the associated software, VIEWpac A9446, David felt that he needed to clarify certain aspects of the design process. The opportunity to speak with the Engineer(s) that wrote the Item was an important reason for using the ESDU service. It soon became apparent that David was challenging the performance limitations of the ejector.

Working with his retired thermodynamicist friend, who designed ejectors for flight environmental systems for Lockheed, David has developed and manufactured an ejector for Jay’s motorcycle. When completed and tested, David intends to compare the experimental results with the performance prediction given by the ESDU method and contact us with the results. We await this data with interest and trust that Mr Leno will shortly be moving even faster than usual.