Turbomeca Turmo
| Industry | Aerospace, Engine manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | France |
| Products | Turboshaft and turboprop engines (Turmo series) |
| Parent | Rolls-Royce (collaboration) |
The Turbomeca Turmo series comprises French-made turboshaft engines primarily engineered for helicopter use. Originating from the earlier Turbomeca Artouste, the more recent variants achieve power outputs up to . A turboprop configuration was also created for the Bréguet 941 transport aircraft.
Currently, production continues through a collaboration with Rolls-Royce, while licensed manufacturing occurs in China at Changzhou Lan Xiang Machinery Works under the name WZ-6, and in Romania by Turbomecanica, Bucharest, designated as the Turmo IV-CA.
Design and development
Initially, the Turmo featured a single-stage centrifugal compressor, an annular combustion chamber, and a single-stage turbine, producing an initial power output of via a single-stage free power turbine.
During the early postwar period of helicopter advancement, Turbomeca developed the Turmo engine to power gas producers that supplied cold and hot rotor tip-jets. This design utilized the free power turbine to efficiently deliver high mass-flow air.
Variants
Information sourced from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1957–58
- Turmo I
- The original model; maximum continuous gearbox output of at 3,000 rpm with a gas generator speed of 33,750 rpm.
- Turmo II
- An improved version offering maximum continuous output of at a gas generator speed of 34,000 rpm.
- Turmo III
- Equipped with a two-stage free power turbine and a pressure ratio of 5.7:1; maximum shaft output , continuous rating at 33,400 rpm.
- Turmo IIIC series
- Includes multiple variants providing up to max output for Super Frelon helicopters in production and military applications.
- Turmo IIID series
- Turboprop versions designed for STOL transports such as the proposed Breguet Br 942, delivering between and .
- Turmo IIIF
- Rated at , utilized on high-speed rail vehicles including the Turbotrain and Turboliner.
- Turmo IVB/IVC
- Versions intended for military (IVB) and civilian (IVC) use respectively.
- Turmo IV-CA
- Produced under license in Romania.
- Turmo VI
- A sophisticated turboprop featuring two axial stages plus a centrifugal compressor and dual free power turbines, rated at at 32,000 rpm.
- Turmo XII
- Capable of producing , employed on Class T 2000 Turbotrain and TGV 001 experimental projects.
- WZ-6
- Chinese license-built variant manufactured by Changzhou Lan Xiang Machinery Works.
Applications
- Turboshaft
- Sud-Est SE.3140 Alouette II
- Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon
- Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma
- Bölkow Bo 46
- IAR 330
- SNCASE SE.3200 Frelon
- N.300 Naviplane
- Turboprop
- Automobile
- Train