Thread: Interesting, Odd or Funny Pics II.

Originally Posted by superquag

Somewhere I came across an article about a Certain Barvarian Auto maker, which was looking into another weird way, using the petrol (?) engine exhaust to make steam, that would in turn be used in a parallel system to add drive to the Drivetrain. Not sure if it's a turbine or steam pistons.

Another funny one, by the Nipponese, is to pass the engine-turbo exhaust through a mechanically coupled 'turbo' (200 : 1 or so) to the flywheel . . .

The last generation of piston aeroplane engines used this, referred to as "turbo-compounding". The most successful of these was the Wright R3350 eighteen cylinder radial, which used three exhaust turbines coupled to the crankshaft via fluid couplings to raise power from 2800HP to 3500HP and at the same time reduce specific fuel consumption. More ambitious was the Napier Nomad, which was a twelve cylinder turbo compounded two stroke diesel of similar power, but much better figures for power/weight and specific fuel economy, as well as lower frontal area. 70% of the power came from the turbine. However, by the time it came on the scene, aircraft manufacturers and buyers were only interested in turbines, and it never got beyond a prototype.

Another maniac driving a truck and dog.... - The Ray Hadley Morning Show