Types of gas turbine engines. Created by ChatGPT.
Gas
turbine engines are used in many applications, not just on aircraft.
They power ships, tanks, helicopters and they're also sometimes used in
power stations to drive alternators (AC generators) for generating
electrical power. Gas turbine engines have been used to power trains in
the 50s and 60s, e.g. the Union Pacific GTEL locomotive. A "jet engine"
is a specific type of gas turbine engine where a jet is used to provide
thrust. The jet can provide thrust directly (turbojet) or power a fan
(turbofan engine) or propeller (turboprop). The advantage of a gas
turbine engine is its high efficiency when scaled up and run at high
power. At small scales (if they were used to power cars) they would be
less efficient than a piston engine. Gas turbine engines also have a
high power to weight ratio compared to a piston engine.
Thanks to ChatGPT for drawing a graphic for me.
