Turbo-electric transmission

As turbo -electric drive, a drive system is referred to, in which an electric drive is directly from a turbo-generator set, so a generator turbine-powered (gas or steam turbine ), fed. Such drives are less frequently used especially in suitable vehicles, especially on large ships and stationary machines. In the functionally similar combination of a diesel- electric drive, however, an internal combustion engine is used instead of a turbine.

From a turbo- electric drive systems will only speak when turbo kit and motor ( s) are spaced relatively close together and the turbo kit is primarily used to supply the drive. If the turbine, however, far away in a power plant and fed into an interconnected network, which in turn powers electric motors, so there is no direct coupling.

The reshaping of the driving energy of the intermediate form of the electrical energy is chosen because electrical energy is easier to convert and distribute is as mechanical energy. The large turbine can be set up independently of the drive in a machine room. The drive power is distributed without gears, shafts, or other drive elements to any number of electric motors. Electric motors are unlike turbines very compact and can be arranged locally, directly to the power unit ( for example, as a propeller pod in ships, or driving motor on the wheelset of railway locomotives).

Furthermore, the turbo- electrical conversion has the advantage that the turbine, independently of the speed of the driven vehicle is running at an approximately constant speed. So the point with optimum flow conditions and the maximum efficiency can be adjusted.

A special form of turbo- electric drive is the CODLAG drive, in which a turbo -electric drive is combined with a diesel-electric drive.

• Turbine technology
• Electric vehicle drive
• Hybrid drive