| The Turboprop/Turboshaft Engine |
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| A turboprop, or turboshaft engine. | |||
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A turboprop engine uses thrust to turn a propeller. As in a turbojet, hot
gases flowing through the engine rotate a turbine wheel that drives the
compressor. The gases then pass through another turbine, called a power
turbine. This power turbine is coupled to the shaft, which drives the
propeller through gear connections.
A turboshaft is similar to a turboprop engine, differing primarily in the function of the turbine shaft. Instead of driving a propeller, the turbine shaft is connected to a transmission system that drives helicopter rotor blades; electrical generators, compressors and pumps; and marine propulsion drives for naval vessels, cargo ships, high speed passenger ships, hydrofoils and other vessels. | |||