EFFICIENCY BASED PROPELLER SHAFT

DRIVE & BRAKING SYSTEM

ABSTRACT
A turbo-electric transmission uses electric generators to convert the mechanical energy
of a turbine into electric energy and electric motors to convert it back into mechanical
energy to power the drive shafts.
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. Gas turbines are much more energy efficient
than equally sized diesel engines. Efficiency usually ranges from 30% to 38% for Diesel
engines and from 40% to 60% in a gas turbine engine.
Turboelectric drive & Brake power also permitted more rapid development of
accelerating and decelerating power on the propeller shafts. It made the last ditch
maneuver of twisting a shaft out of path by backing down shafts while running the
opposite side full ahead and applying full rudder toward the backing side more effective.
It also permitted extended periods of backing.
Rotating shaft produce electric power from automotive engine source system. So, vehicle
propeller shaft also transmit the power from gear box to differential wheel drive.
There the similarity ends. There is only a single turbine, and rather than driving the
propeller shaft, it turns one or two electric generators. The electricity created is then
routed via a bus bar system to electric motors mounted to the propeller shaft heads. The
turbine spins at a single constant, highly efficient rotation rate, while the electric motors,
mechanically divorced from the turbines, turn at the rate most efficient for the propellers.
To achieve full backing power, the electric motors are simply reversed, there being no
physical need for a separate reverse stage. This eliminates several redundant pieces of
equipment and much steam piping.
Turboelectric drive offers several advantages:

1. There is no mechanical connection between the turbogenerator system and the

propeller shaft, allowing both to turn at their disparate efficient speeds. This increases
propeller rotation speeds and increases fuel efficiency.
2. The motor is more power need to lead the propeller shafts farther forward in the speed
rotation.
3. The turbo-electric drive consumes less energy, allowing more power to the system.
4. During braking the propeller shafts can be immediately reversed by simply switching
the direction of the magnetic electric motors without the need to reroute system.
5. More power is available at power turbo generators, making more power available for
ancillary systems (including main battery elevation and training) and electronics.