Eric: Er . . . well, not quite. I’m too old for that. Now I want the computer to work for me and so does my father. I mean to say he wants the com* puter to do all the housework for him. You see he may not like his pub acquaintances to see he’s under his wife’s thumb... Now I’ve just got a job in the Intelligence Department as an expert on ciphers and codes and I am expected to solve the most ingenious intricacies of the most complicated systems ever made by man.
Alf: But suppose the electronic computer goes wrong, what' then?
Eric: It doesn’t matter. Most of the messages are written in either a single code or a double code system.
Alf: What’s the difference?
Eric: When the single code system is used the message is understood by the chap who sends it but isn’t understood by the chap who receives it. Now, in the case of a double code the message isn’t understood either by the chap who sends it or the one who receives it.
Alf: Then what’s the computer for?!
Eric: Er . .. well, you see, my good fellow, they all think I’m an ass, and I am not surprised for 1 look rather silly. Now, if they didn’t hear the rattle of the electronic computer once in a while I might lose my job.. . Alf: I can see there’s' a lot to be seen, more to be heard, and plenty to imagine! I have never thought much of electronics, but now I begin to think it’s the science of the future.
Eric: Precisely.
42
20
Home exercise. Give a written account of the text.
A-C Electric Equipment of Ship’s Deck Machinery. Introduction
Modern electric equipment of ship’s deck machinery comprises electric motors and electric apparatuses of specially developed series and individual designs.
The fact that this machinery has to operate on weather decks predetermines special environmental conditions of the electric equipment: ambient temperatures ranging from —40 to +50° C, high humidity up to due fall with frequent cyclic variations, pitching and rolling, strong vibration, periodic splashing with sea water, high dynamic overloads and a large number of on-load startings.
The electric equipment of deck machinery meeting all specific requirements of marine service is noted for a high electrical strength and mechanical robustness. With regular maintenance and timely replacement of worn parts the service life of the electric equipment is as long as 15—20 years.
Utilized construction of the electric equipment used in deck machinery makes it possible to provide for any operating conditions in the course of its service.
To improve its reliability and efficiency the electric equipment is being constantly developed through the use of new structural materials and new switching and control systems and through a detailed study and overall improvement of the interaction between the electric drives of the deck machinery and other ship’s equipment.