Marine Turbine Engines

[yachtjim]

A helicopter's blades (rotor) have time to spool up to speed before any collective pitch is applied which is what makes the helicopter go up. Turbines have no acceleration but they have plenty of power at high rpms. With most people so concerned about their boat's holeshot I don't see it working with conventional props.

Any engineer can step in here and correct me, but the way turbines work on ships is to have a turbine (A) that is running with another turbine (B) right behind it, essentially in it's jet blast. The second turbine (B) is spun by the jet blast of the first one (A). The ship's shaft is connected to turbine (B). Turbine (A) can always be spinning at a significant rpm, so power is readily available on demand. The shaft is engaged by releasing a brake on the shaft to make turbine (B) start spinning from the blast of turbine (A). Ships that use this also have variable pitch props.

Helicopters actually work off a similar concept but the whole turbine and transmission are essentially part of the same engine (no turbine A and B thing). I think it is called an aerodynamic coupling. Anyway, it is a lot to accomplish in a little outboard but technology gets smaller everyday.

Look at how long it takes a helo or a turbo prop to get the blades spinning and the are using the same technology as this MTT engine. I definitley think its neat and probably has a place somewhere, but I don't think it will become an option from builders in my lifetime.