Turbo-electric transmission
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A turbo-electric transmission uses electric generators to convert the mechanical energy of a turbine (steam or gas) into electric energy and electric motors to convert it back into mechanical energy to power the driveshafts.
Turbo-electric drives are used in some locomotives (gas turbines, e.g. with the first TGV) and ships (steam and sometimes gas turbines). The advantage of the turbo-electric transmission is that it allows the adaptation of high-speed turning turbines to the slow turning propellers or wheels without the need of a heavy and complex gearbox. It also has the second advantage of being able to provide electricity for the ship or train's other electrical systems, such as lighting, computers, radar, and communications equipment.
A disadvantage shared with the more common diesel-electric powertrain is that because of the double conversion of mechanical energy to electricity and back more energy gets lost than with a mechanical transmission.
[edit] See also
[edit] Ships With Turbo-Electric Drive
- SS Canberra – most powerful steam turbo-electric units in a passenger ship, 42,500 shp (31,700 kW) per shaft, 2 shafts
- USS Langley (CV-1)
- Lexington-class aircraft carriers
- USS New Mexico (BB-40)
- Tennessee-class battleships
- Colorado-class battleships
- Suamico-class oilers
- USS Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685)
- SS Normandie – most powerful steam turbo-electric passenger ship ever, 40,000 shp (30,000 kW) per shaft (50,000 shp at max power), 4 shafts
- RMS Queen Mary 2 – powered by General Electric gas turbines in addition to her diesel generators to produce the power to drive her four Rolls-Royce MerMaid electric podded azimuth thrusters.
- GTS Millennium
- TEV Wahine (steam powered Turbine-Electric Vessel)
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driving an alternator
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powering a motor
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driving a propeller shaft
[edit] External links
- Turboelectric drive in American Capital Ships @ www.navweaps.com
- Turbo Electric Ltd UK car technology company pursuing gas turbine electric drive in cars
- "The Paddle Wheel to Electric Drive" Popular Mechanics, December 1930, pp 898-902 detailed article with drawing and charts on turbo-electric drive for ships and the advantages
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