Kovalev, Nikolai

Born Feb. 9 (22), 1908, in Poltava. Soviet scientist in mechanics and hydroturbine building; corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR (1953), Hero of Socialist Labor (1957). Became a member of the CPSU in 1942.

After graduating from the Leningrad Engineering Institute in 1930, Kovalev worked at the Leningrad Metals Plant. In 1945 he became the chief designer of hydroturbines. Since 1959, Kovalev has been at the Central Boiler and Turbine Institute in Leningrad. From 1939 through 1967 he taught at the Leningrad Polytechnical Institute. He has been the chairman of the scientific and technical society for power engineering and the electrical engineering industry since 1958. His basic works are on the theory of the calculation and design of hydroturbines. Kovalev won the State Prize of the USSR in 1946 and 1950 and the Lenin Prize in 1959 and has been awarded the Order of Lenin, three other orders, and medals.