While piston engines served as the primary internal combustion engines of early aviation, they have since been superseded by powerful turbine engines that surpass their capabilities in various ways. Often referred to as a gas turbine or combustion turbine, such apparatuses ignite fuel that is carefully mixed with an oxidizer for the means of achieving the propulsive force necessary for maintaining heavier-than-air flight. In this blog, we will discuss the functionality and benefits of turbine engines, allowing you to better understand their importance and how they compare to piston engines.
After the intake of air and its pressurization within the compressor of the
turbine engine has occurred, air will enter into the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber, or combustor, is a crucial section of a turbine engine where air and fuel are optimally mixed prior to ignition. As the mixture is combusted, an excessive amount of pressure is generated within the combustor as a result of rapidly expanding gases. To escape the combustion chamber, this pressurized gas is forced into the next section of the engine which is known as the turbine section. Upon entering this area, the gases begin to move in high volumes, their speed increasing as they are forced forward. With the design of the turbine section and with the use of a nozzle, combustion gases are directed against an assembly or turbine blades. These blades then utilize the force of the gases to spin, transforming exhaust gas energy into rotational power that drives the compressor section that precedes the combustor. As power is derived from exhaust gas, pressure and temperature will decrease as it moves through the exhaust section and is expelled from the engine.
As compared to the various piston engines that came before, the turbine engine features much more simplistic operations, all while exceeding the power output that pistons are capable of. Out of all assembly parts, only the power conversion section is considered to be a moving element. Because of this, they can face less wear and tear in certain aspects when compared to the dozens of individual moving parts and elements of a
piston engine.
There are various advantages to turbine engines, making them an optimal choice for numerous aviation applications and aircraft models. For one, they are capable of optimally functioning with lower pressure during standard operations, and they can excel in high altitudes where various piston engines falter. Additionally, they exceed piston engines in operating with higher velocities, coupled with their ability to create necessary power for increased transportation. With fewer parts and higher internal lubrication success rates, turbine engines typically exhibit lower maintenance and repair costs which can be highly beneficial for those who want to minimize spending on their aircraft or fleet.
Despite the piston engine still being found on various light, single-engine aircraft to this day, the turbine engine has made the creation and operation of the Cessna Skymaster, Mitsubishi MU-2, the Royal Navy’s Motor Gun Boat, and other vehicles possible. When you are in the market for top-quality turbine engine parts and components that you can steadily rely on with ease, always ensure that you utilize a trustworthy source for procurement. With Purchasing Efficiency, we can guarantee
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