"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
11/11/2019 at 11:09 • Filed to: None
0
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"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
11/11/2019 at 11:09 • Filed to: None | 0
| 17 |
Is there a difference between an engine and a power plant? Or is “ power plant” simply another word for engine? And, is power plant two words or one?
In my aviation writings, I have generally used powerplant as a synonym for engine simply to have variety in language. Now I’m wondering if there are semantics that set the two terms apart with specific meanings.
If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> ttyymmnn
11/11/2019 at 11:22 |
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I call it a powerplant if it’s big, like a tank engine
WilliamsSW
> ttyymmnn
11/11/2019 at 11:25 |
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I think “power plant” is a pretty common term for an IC engine, no real clue if that’s 1 word or 2, but I *think* it’s 2.
just-a-scratch
> ttyymmnn
11/11/2019 at 11:29 |
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The V enn diagram for power plant and engine overlaps a lot.
Engine: a machine for converting any of various forms of energy into mechanical force and motion
Powerplant: a n engine and related parts supplying the motive power of a self-propelled object (such as a rocket or automobile)
When talking about vehicles they’re nearly synonymous. Power plant is a bit more general though.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> ttyymmnn
11/11/2019 at 11:30 |
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I think multi-engine drive systems or turbine packages could also be referred to as a powerplant, where referring to them as an engine would be only sort of accurate. A system to develop and provide power to drive something. That, and it technically includes management and control systems to an extent where “engine” could mean just the primary motive parts.
An “engine” is a concise single
mechanical system doing a thing, typically either producing shaft power or thrust.
For example, the twin-engine drive system of a Matilda tank or the turbine “power pack” of an Abrams are both more correctly “powerplants” than engines.
On the other hand, turbofan engines on a plane are probably *less* accurately described as “powerplants” because they are not providing power to drive something, merely thrust. So calling the two-engine turboprop system in a Bear a powerplant (because it drives props) is more accurate than calling the unit on a 787 that. Despite that what the 787 has is an engine *package*.
Aremmes
> ttyymmnn
11/11/2019 at 11:30 |
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I’m quite certain that the terms are interchangeable. A power plant conjures images of an installation containing multiple engines, but nothing precludes an engine from integrating all of the ancillary components into a single unit.
gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
> ttyymmnn
11/11/2019 at 11:31 |
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Technically an engine converts one form of power into mechanical energy, and a power plant transform energy to electrical power.
Though Casually
like motor the term has a wider use.
vondon302
> ttyymmnn
11/11/2019 at 11:35 |
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I think power plant over rode engine once ice engines became common.
They call this a engine but it’s powering a generator for the old highland park plant.
https://artifactsinaction.weebly.com/highland-park-power-plant.html
Btw it’s one of my favorite things at the Henry Ford. It's a giant engine that you can walk through. Super impressive especially considering they had 9 of em.
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gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
11/11/2019 at 11:38 |
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Yeah it gets weirder when the power source is separated from the drive wheels/tracks with a hydraulic system in between .
Nibby
> ttyymmnn
11/11/2019 at 11:38 |
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power plants are these
ClassicDatsunDebate
> ttyymmnn
11/11/2019 at 12:09 |
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It’s metonymy.
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ClassicDatsunDebate
> ClassicDatsunDebate
11/11/2019 at 12:12 |
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Metonymy
do do- do do do
Metonymy
do do- do do
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ttyymmnn
> ClassicDatsunDebate
11/11/2019 at 13:07 |
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I like that.
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If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
11/11/2019 at 14:52 |
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If the engine drives some sort of electric/hydraulic/steam transmission it should definitely be called a powerplant.
Urambo Tauro
> ttyymmnn
11/11/2019 at 17:19 |
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Not 100%
sure of the correct usage, but it feels right to
say that the one-word version “powerplant” can be used interchangeably for
vehicle
engines
, while
the two-word version “power plant” is only appropriate for the building/
facility
/station
that generates power
for the electrical grid.
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ttyymmnn
> Urambo Tauro
11/11/2019 at 17:23 |
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I think that is the best reply I’ve seen on this.
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Urambo Tauro
> ttyymmnn
11/11/2019 at 17:51 |
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Just my opinion. Everywhere I’ve looked tells me it’s just an alternative spelling and that either way is fine , but I’m gonna be weird and hold myself to the rule I just made up. N ot gonna hold anyone else to it though .
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ttyymmnn
> Urambo Tauro
11/11/2019 at 17:53 |
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If it makes sense, and is defensible, then it’s a good rule. I think it makes good sense.