Lexic.us

Definition of Turbine

1. Noun. Rotary engine in which the kinetic energy of a moving fluid is converted into mechanical energy by causing a bladed rotor to rotate.

Definition of Turbine

1. n. A water wheel, commonly horizontal, variously constructed, but usually having a series of curved floats or buckets, against which the water acts by its impulse or reaction in flowing either outward from a central chamber, inward from an external casing, or from above downward, etc.; -- also called turbine wheel.

2. n. A form of steam engine analogous in construction and action to the water turbine. There are practically only two distinct kinds, and they are typified in the de Laval and the Parsons and Curtis turbines. The de Laval turbine is an impulse turbine, in which steam impinges upon revolving blades from a flared nozzle. The flare of the nozzle causes expansion of the steam, and hence changes its pressure energy into kinetic energy. An enormous velocity (30,000 revolutions per minute in the 5 H. P. size) is requisite for high efficiency, and the machine has therefore to be geared down to be of practical use. Some recent development of this type include turbines formed of several de Laval elements compounded as in the ordinary expansion engine. The Parsons turbine is an impulse-and-reaction turbine, usually of the axial type. The steam is constrained to pass successively through alternate rows of fixed and moving blades, being expanded down to a condenser pressure of about 1 lb. per square inch absolute. The Curtis turbine is somewhat simpler than the Parsons, and consists of elements each of which has at least two rows of moving blades and one row of stationary. The bucket velocity is lowered by fractional velocity reduction. Both the Parsons and Curtis turbines are suitable for driving dynamos and steamships directly. In efficiency, lightness, and bulk for a given power, they compare favorably with reciprocating engines.

Definition of Turbine

1. Noun. any of various rotary machines that use the kinetic energy of a continuous stream of fluid (a liquid or a gas) to turn a shaft ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Turbine

1. a type of engine [n -S]

Medical Definition of Turbine

1. A machine for converting the heat energy in steam or high temperature gas into mechanical energy. In a turbine, a high velocity flow of steam or gas passes through successive rows of radial blades fastened to a central shaft. (05 Dec 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Turbine

Literary usage of Turbine

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge (1920)
"The Radial turbine.— In radial turbines the water in passing through the wheel flows in a ... The best-known type of the inward flow is the Francis turbine, ..."

2. Supreme Court Reporter by Robert Desty, United States Supreme Court, West Publishing Company (1918)
"The turbine Companies filed their bill against the Cramp Company to recover damages and profits accruing from the infringement of certain patents on turbine ..."

3. The Engineering Index Annual for by American Society of Mechanical Engineers (1910)
"Running a Parsons turbine. HM MacSweeney. Suggestions for operation. ... Illustrated description of a turbine showing decided departures from usual practice ..."

4. The Making of America by Robert Marion La Follette, William Matthews Handy, Charles Higgins (1906)
"Yet, in its present stage, the turbine engine is so far from being a perfected piece of machinery that engineers style this ..."

5. The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge (1920)
"Placing the turbine above the tail water has many. advantages; ... It is never possible to discharge the water from a turbine wholly without velocity. ..."

6. Transactions of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers by American Society of Mechanical Engineers (1904)
"It is therefore intended to confine this pa some special features of turbine work, which have a more intimate bearing upon the operation of a successful ..."

7. Hydraulics by Robert Long Daugherty (1919)
"But as long as this is avoided the turbine can make use of the entire fall to the lower ... The higher the turbine is situated, within the limit specified, ..."

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