Advanced Technology Applied to the Steam Powered Vehicle

The requirements for multifuel capability, high power flexibility, low noise level, and reliability for a propulsion unit to be used in a military battle tank prompted the Convair Div. of the General Dynamics Corp. to make a study of the steam turbine application to this problem. The application of new technology in the fields of compact heat exchangers, steam generation, and turbine design revealed that an efficient, compact design could be made. A 500 hp unit was sized which would operate at an overall cycle efficiency of over 27% and furnish over 18,000 ft-lb of starting torque.