turbinepowered

Turbinepowered is an adjective used to describe systems, vehicles, or installations that derive their primary mechanical energy from a turbine engine, typically a gas turbine or a steam turbine. The term highlights the power source rather than the exact configuration of the machine, and it is commonly used in engineering discussions to distinguish turbine-driven equipment from those powered by internal combustion engines or electric motors.

Gas turbines include turbojets, turbofans, and turboprops, which generate propulsion or shaft power by expanding hot gases produced from combustion. In aviation, turbine-powered engines provide the majority of modern flight propulsion, offering high power-to-weight ratios, rapid startup, and the ability to operate across a wide range of speeds. Steam turbines, by contrast, convert heat from steam into rotational energy and are a cornerstone of many power plants and marine propulsion systems. They are typically paired with generators to produce electricity or integrated into large mechanical drives.

Industrial and energy applications often feature turbinepowered systems in combined configurations. Combined cycle plants use both gas turbines and steam turbines to achieve higher overall efficiency. In transportation history, turbinepower has been explored in automobiles, with prototype turbine-powered cars produced in the mid-20th century, such as the Chrysler Turbine Car, illustrating the concept’s viability and limitations.

Overall, turbinepowered describes a broad category of propulsion and energy conversion technologies united by their reliance on turbine engines. See also gas turbine, steam turbine, turbine engine, and combined cycle for related topics.