|
| Technical
Information It's no secret that
turbine engines have a greater power-to-weight ratio than
reciprocating engines and have been the industry standard
in aviation for years. Yet in an extraordinary show of turbine
innovation, MTT turned the industry on its head by successfully
installing turbines into non-aviation machines.
|
|
Generally speaking, MTT uses
power turbines in its installations. Instead of using thrust
for propulsion as in jet engines, power turbines have output
shafts which are coupled to driveline components. Found
in turbo-prop aircraft and helicopters, power turbines are
excellent power sources in many applications.
By definition, a turbine is an engine turned by the force
of expanding gas on fan blades, or turbine wheels. The concept
is simple: Fuel is atomized in a combustion chamber located
in front of the turbine wheels which are spooled up by an
electric starter. Upon ignition, gas emitted from the combustion
process expands, causing the fan blades to spin and producing
incredible power in the form of either thrust or shaft horsepower.
|
|
Compared to Recips
Turbine engines have extraordinarily
long life expectancies compared to other internal combustion
engines. Because all moving parts spin centrifugally around
one shaft, turbines are well suited to run at high horsepower
and continuous rpm's for extended periods without self-destructing
like piston engines.
Originally designed for commercial aviation, turbines also
have incredible service requirements due to the serious
ramifications of engine failure during flight. The highest
quality parts and materials are used to build these engines,
resulting in a lower likelihood for failure than in reciprocating
engines. Dry-sumped internal lubrication is never exposed
to the combustion chambers, greatly reducing contamination
and extending preventive maintenance intervals.
|
|
|
Question:
If turbine engines are superior to reciprocating
- or piston - engines, why aren't there more turbines in
non-aviation installations?
|
Answer:
Turbines are comparatively more expensive. Historically,
their main demographic was governments, big businesses,
and wealthy individuals, such as the British Pegasus Patrol
Boat, the San Francisco Ferry, the U.S. LCAC Hovercraft,
and the personal yachts of international royal family members
such as the Aga Khan's Destriero.
The Good News:
Because MTT has access to many turbine outlets, we are able
to install fully
refurbished, marinized, and tested turbine engines into
our product packages at very economical prices per horsepower.
If dollar per horsepower per service hour is considered,
turbine engines are actually more cost effective than reciprocating
engines. |
|
