A High Speed Drivetrain Concept for Gas Turbine Powered Trucks

The availability of the gas turbine engine for the heavy duty highway tractor application will place greater emphasis on utilizing smaller and lighter drivetrain components. This paper describes the development of components for a 10,000 rpm drivetrain from the engine to the driving wheels. The performance of the vehicle has proven the technical feasibility of a high speed drivetrain concept for gas turbine powered trucks which may eventually be commercially available.