Turbo-electric drive
A turbo-electric drive is a drive system in which an electric drive is fed directly from a turbo generator set , i.e. a generator with turbine drive ( gas or steam turbine ). Such drives are mainly used in suitable vehicles, especially in large ships, and less often in stationary machines. In the functionally similar combination of a diesel-electric drive , however, an internal combustion engine is used instead of a turbine .
A turbo-electric drive is only used if the turbo set and motor (s) are arranged relatively close to one another and the turbo set is primarily used to supply the drive. If, on the other hand, the turbine is located far away in a power station and feeds into an interconnected network, which in turn also supplies electric motors, there is no direct coupling.
The conversion of the drive energy via the intermediate form of electrical energy is chosen because electrical energy is easier to convert and distribute than mechanical energy. The large turbine can be set up in a machine room independently of the drive . The drive energy is distributed to any number of electric motors without gears, shafts or other drive elements. In contrast to turbines, electric motors are very compact and can be arranged locally, directly on the drive unit (e.g. as a propeller pod in ships or as a traction motor on the wheelset of rail locomotives).
Furthermore, the turbo-electric conversion has the advantage that the turbine can run at an almost constant speed regardless of the speed of the driven vehicle. In this way, the point can be set with optimal flow conditions and maximum efficiency .
A special form of turbo-electric drive is the CODLAG drive , in which a turbo- electric drive is combined with a diesel-electric drive .