| Saurer GT15 Gas Turbine |  |
| Saurer GT15 Gas Turbine | |
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Probably one of the most unique gas turbines in the world the Saurer GT15. The GT15 was the worlds smallest production gas turbine in the mid 1960s, it is virtualy the size of many model engines which we know today. For many years it was suggested that very small engines were impossible to produce, this engine disproves this.
Adolf Saurer LTD of Arbon in Switzerland was a large heavey engineering company producing trucks, railway locomotives and deisel engines. The GT15 gas turbine was sold for use as a small APU and also for portable generating equipment.Only 22 units were delivered for use as the APU on the Hansa HFB320 biz jet. |
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The GT15 is a very inervative power plant, the fuel supply was also used as a lubricant, this engine contains no oil. Certain versions of this engine also had one entirely unique feature- it was started by a pull cord! A spring loaded cable retracts into the gearbox and when required is pulled vigorously in and out to start the engine. Considerable effort was required to reach self sustaining speed, a dislocated shoulder often resulted!
Saurer still exist today but they produce textile manufacturing machinery, all traces of gas turbine work have sadly gone. |
| Saurer GT15 Specification Output..................................................................15 Bhp RPM.....................................................................85,000 Compressor..........................................................Centrifugal Impeller Combustion Chamber...........................................Radial with Rotary Atomizer Turbine.................................................................Radial Inflow Impeller Layout..................................................................Single Spool with Reduction Gear Ignition..................................................................High Energy Ignitor Fuel System...........................................................Gear Pump with Electronic Control System Starting..................................................................Electric Starter/Generator or Pull Cord Lubrication ...........................................................Fuel Supplied by Gear Pump, Scavenge Pump, Fuel Cooler Application............................................................Hansa HF320 Biz Jet APU, Ground Genset |
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| Inset: Turbine Wheel |
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| Original Portable Gen-Set: GT15 driving a 9KW 400 C/S Alternator |
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Completed engine mounted in a frame with electronic control box. |
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| GT15 Gas Turbine Fitted with Manufactured Starter/Generator Mounting |
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