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Prime mover (locomotive)

 

 
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Prime mover (locomotive)
 
 
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For other uses see Prime mover
Prime mover

Prime mover may mean:In Theology:* Prime Mover in the Cosmological argument, as a 'first cause' of existenceIn railways:* Prime mover , a component of a locomotive...
In locomotive
Locomotive

A locomotive is a Rail transport vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin language loco - "from a place", Ablative case of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine,....
s, the prime mover is the source of power for propulsion. The term is generally used when discussing any locomotive powered by an internal combustion engine
Internal combustion engine

The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs in a combustion chamber inside and integral to the engine. In an internal combustion engine it is always the expansion of the high temperature and pressure gases that are produced by the combustion which apply force to the movable component of the engine, such as...
.

In a diesel-mechanical
Diesel locomotive

A Diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a Diesel engine. Several types of Diesel locomotive have been developed, the principal distinction being in the means by which the prime mover's mechanical power is conveyed to the driving wheels ....
 locomotive, prime mover refers to the diesel engine
Diesel engine

A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine which operates using the diesel cycle . Diesel engines have the highest thermal efficiency compared to any internal combustion or external combustion engine....
 that is mechanically coupled to the driving wheels (drivers). In a diesel-electric locomotive, prime mover refers to the Diesel engine that rotates the main generator
Electrical generator

In electricity generation, an electrical generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy, generally using electromagnetic induction....
 responsible for producing electricity to power the traction motor
Traction motor

A traction motor is a type of electric motor used to power the driving wheels of a vehicle such as a railroad locomotive, electrical Multiple unit train , a tram, or an automobile....
s that are geared to the drivers.






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For other uses see Prime mover
Prime mover

Prime mover may mean:In Theology:* Prime Mover in the Cosmological argument, as a 'first cause' of existenceIn railways:* Prime mover , a component of a locomotive...
In locomotive
Locomotive

A locomotive is a Rail transport vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin language loco - "from a place", Ablative case of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine,....
s, the prime mover is the source of power for propulsion. The term is generally used when discussing any locomotive powered by an internal combustion engine
Internal combustion engine

The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs in a combustion chamber inside and integral to the engine. In an internal combustion engine it is always the expansion of the high temperature and pressure gases that are produced by the combustion which apply force to the movable component of the engine, such as...
.

In a diesel-mechanical
Diesel locomotive

A Diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a Diesel engine. Several types of Diesel locomotive have been developed, the principal distinction being in the means by which the prime mover's mechanical power is conveyed to the driving wheels ....
 locomotive, prime mover refers to the diesel engine
Diesel engine

A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine which operates using the diesel cycle . Diesel engines have the highest thermal efficiency compared to any internal combustion or external combustion engine....
 that is mechanically coupled to the driving wheels (drivers). In a diesel-electric locomotive, prime mover refers to the Diesel engine that rotates the main generator
Electrical generator

In electricity generation, an electrical generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy, generally using electromagnetic induction....
 responsible for producing electricity to power the traction motor
Traction motor

A traction motor is a type of electric motor used to power the driving wheels of a vehicle such as a railroad locomotive, electrical Multiple unit train , a tram, or an automobile....
s that are geared to the drivers. The prime mover can also be a gas turbine
Gas turbine

A gas turbine, also called a combustion turbine, is a rotary engine that extracts energy from a flow of combustion gas. It has an upstream compressor coupled to a downstream turbine, and a combustion chamber in-between....
 instead of a diesel engine. In either case, the generator, traction motors and interconnecting apparatus
Apparatus

Apparatus, is a mass noun used to describe equipment designed or assembled for a particular purpose. Examples include:* Fire apparatus* Equipment used in gymnastics...
 are considered to be the power transmission system
Transmission (mechanics)

Using the principle of mechanical advantage, transmissions provide a speed-torque conversion from a higher speed motor to a slower but more forceful output or vice-versa....
 and not part of the prime mover.