Chapter 65: 65, Security Gate Successfully Developed, Shanghai-fuyang General Aviation
Scientific research activities during the Republic of China era were not as rigorous as in the future.
They also did not require project reports or going through many procedures.
Plus, with only one week of time, they started organizing on the spot that day in the Tsinghua University Physics Department office.
They needed a research team and directly went to find people, seeing who was willing to join.
Those who agreed came to the office and participated in the on-site discussion.
Fang Wen, as the client, had to answer their questions.
A student who had just joined came over with paper and pen to ask.
“What kind of metal detector do you want?”
“It should be called a metal security gate. My idea is to make it in the shape of a door, so passengers can only enter and exit through the door. When he passes through the metal security gate, if there is metal in his body or luggage, it will trigger the alarm.”
Fang Wen described the concept of the metal security gate in detail. His words were filled with foresight and anticipation for the future. The professors and students from Tsinghua University present were all captivated, drawn in by this innovative idea.
Everyone talked and discussed with each other.
“This sounds very interesting and practical,” a young student said excitedly. “We can use the principle of electromagnetic induction. When a metal object passes through the security gate, it will change the surrounding magnetic field. We can detect this change and trigger the alarm.”
Fang Wen nodded in agreement and further added: “Yes, that’s exactly what I want. But it’s up to you to make this idea a reality.”
Next, the members of the research team began to heatedly discuss how to realize the concept of this metal security gate. They discussed the principle of electromagnetic induction, the design of sensors and circuits, and so on. Everyone’s face was filled with enthusiasm and anticipation for scientific research.
Although it was the 1930s, in the relevant majors at Tsinghua University, realizing this design was not a difficult task.
It was just much cruder compared to the future.
In seven days, they made a simple coil electromagnetic induction sensor.
Simply put, it was a ring made by winding wire into multiple turns.
Electric current passes through the coil to generate an electromagnetic field.
When an object passes through the magnetic field, a change occurs. According to Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction, an induced electromotive force is generated in the coil.
The magnitude of this induced electromotive force is proportional to the rate of change of the magnetic field and the number of turns in the coil, and it can be adjusted by changing the number of turns in the coil.
The reaction of a metal object passing through the magnetic field will be relatively strong, and this threshold value can be used as the sensor’s output signal to trigger the warning loudspeaker and warning light, thereby achieving a reminder for dangerous items.
This simple coil electromagnetic induction sensor was installed in a wooden door frame, connected to electric current and warning devices, and thus the world’s first aviation security gate was realized.
With the equipment completed, it was next up to Fang Wen to figure out how to take it back.
For the entire device, the security gate did not need to be taken; they could just find a carpenter to make it on the spot when returning.
The main part was the simple coil electromagnetic induction sensor, those devices using copper wire as the wire, which could be disassembled and reassembled upon return, but it weighed 200 kilograms.
For this, a professor from Tsinghua University even helped borrow a car for transport.
When they arrived at Nanyuan Flight School Airport, he looked at that Qingyun Hao fighter jet and could not help but be surprised.
“This fighter jet is yours?”
“Yes.” Fang Wen said not without pride: “Bought for 3000 silver dollars. It was originally scrapped, and it took a lot of effort to repair.”
“Great.” The professor could not help but envy as he stroked the fuselage. “I once had a dream of flying too. By the way, how do you plan to transport the electrocution coil back?”
“I prepared it before coming.” Fang Wen leaned down and pointed to the auxiliary fuel tank on the belly of the plane. “I made some modifications. Half of the auxiliary fuel tank below is empty, so it can be placed inside.”
As he spoke, he removed the cover on the right side of the auxiliary fuel tank, revealing the space inside.
The design of the auxiliary fuel tank surprised the professor somewhat: “How did you think of these things—the security gate, the auxiliary fuel tank? I think these concepts might have great significance.”
“Maybe.” Fang Wen responded vaguely.
If there had been no War of Resistance, these inventions could indeed have brought many changes and allowed him to live a life free from worries about food and clothing. Unfortunately, it would not be long before the Japanese made another move. Next year, the Little Mustache in Europe would also become Head of State, and the whole world would be in chaos.
Brushing aside the thought, Fang Wen said no more, and together with Fang Shouxin, they placed the pieces of simple coil electromagnetic induction sensor into the auxiliary fuel tank.
After finishing this, Fang Wen took out a special business card and handed it to the professor.
“What is this?”
“My business card, with my contact information in Shanghai on it—telephone and telegram. If there’s anything, contact me using the information above.”
“Oh, okay.”
The professor put away the business card and watched as Fang Wen boarded the plane and took off.
After more than three hours of flight, the airplane returned to Shanghai Airport.
The Taishan Airlines employees waiting at the airport were very expectant about the treasure bought back for three thousand silver dollars.
What they saw were heavy cylindrical implements.
These precious implements were placed in Taishan Airlines’ office at the airport. Then they found two carpenters who worked overnight to build the security gate and transported over a diesel generator.
The wooden security gate with built-in grooves was completed, the electromagnetic induction coil was installed into the grooves and connected together, then connected to the power cord.
Fang Wen said: “Who will test it?”
“Me.” Shunzi raised his hand.
He bravely walked through the security gate, and nothing happened.
“Take this and walk through again.” Fang Wen handed Shunzi a dagger.
This time, the security gate’s lights came on, along with a piercing sound.
Amazing! It could really detect hidden weapons without body searches.
The Taishan Airlines employees were surprised and excited.
Next, Sun Debiao simply brought a Broomhandle Mauser, which was also detected due to the metal in the gun body and bullets.
With this security measure, Taishan Airlines’ safety greatly increased.
They could also officially begin operations.
In the urban area, at the junction of the French Concession and the Old City, Taishan Airlines opened a ticketing sales office.
A large Taishan Airlines neon sign hung outside. After a burst of firecrackers, people curiously entered the ticketing sales office filled with flower baskets.
Right inside facing the door was the ticket window, and on the wall beside it was the route map.
The current flight path was only Shanghai—Fuyang, taking three and a half hours, departing every other day at 10 a.m.
On the far right of the route map, there was also a counter, with the number on it representing how many seats were still unsold.
However, for the first flight, there were only 10 seats for sale, and the remaining 8 seats were reserved for reporters from major Shanghai newspapers for interviews.
In less than an hour, the discounted airplane tickets priced at 25 silver dollars sold out. These ten passengers boarded Taishan Airlines’ shuttle car and headed to the airport.
