A steam turbine is a machine that extracts thermal energy from pressurized steam and converts it into mechanical work through a rotating shaft. Its modern form was invented in 1884 by the Anglo-Irish engineer Charles Parsons, whose first turbine drove a dynamo generating about 7.5 kilowatts of electricity. Parsons' design proved far more efficient than the reciprocating steam engines it competed against and went on to revolutionize marine propulsion and electricity generation.
Facts
YearSourced to the subject's own account SignificanceSourced to the subject's own accountContinued advances in the durability and efficiency of steam turbines remain central to 21st century energy economics, following the type's invention by Charles Parsons in 1884. 1 FAQs
How does a steam turbine compare with a reciprocating steam engine?
Steam turbines are more compact than reciprocating engines and usually allow higher temperatures and greater expansion ratios.
A steam turbine discharges steam at high velocity through nozzles and then passes it through a series of stationary and moving blades, which makes a rotor move at high speeds. Steam turbines are more compact than reciprocating engines and usually permit higher temperatures and greater expansion ratios.
Was the steam turbine ever used to power railway locomotives?
Only as experiments: turbine locomotives worked but came too late to compete with diesel and electric traction.
Yes, but only as experiments. One of the first was a Swedish locomotive built in 1921, and other prototypes followed in Europe and the United States. They all functioned, but they appeared too late to compete against diesel traction and electrification.
Connections
Associated With
Source Grace's Guide biography of the engineer Parsons
Field-to-technology association verified live; FROM end owned by fields section
In Field
Source Steam Turbine (Wikipedia)
Invented By
Source Grace's Guide biography of the engineer Parsons
Sources
1. Steam Turbine (Wikipedia)
Wikipedialead section, sentence 2
Its modern manifestation was invented by Sir Charles Parsons in 1884 and revolutionized marine propulsion and navigation.
lead section, sentence 4
continued advances in durability and efficiency of steam turbines remains central to the energy economics of the 21st century.
Infobox: invented
1884
Lead section
Its modern form was invented by Sir Charles Parsons in 1884
In Field: Mechanical Engineering, Categories
Steam engines
View the Source Grace's Guide biography of the engineer Parsons
Associated With: Charles Algernon Parsons, Biography
best known for his invention of the multi-stage (compounded) steam turbine
Invented By: Charles Algernon Parsons, Biography
best known for his invention of the multi-stage (compounded) steam turbine
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