compound engine

British  

noun

1. a steam engine in which the steam is expanded in more than one stage, first in a high-pressure cylinder and then in one or more low-pressure cylinders

2. a reciprocating engine in which the exhaust gases are expanded in a turbine to drive a turbocharger

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Example Sentences

Although the Wright turbo compound engine was standard on both the DC-7 and Super Constellation, it proved so unsatisfactory that airlines were not interested in Wright engines for the new jet airliners.

From Time Magazine Archive

A. A very moderate level, never allowing it to get so high that moist steam will pass through the cylinders, because for satisfactory service a compound engine should always have dry steam.

From The Traveling Engineers' Association To Improve The Locomotive Engine Service of American Railroads by Anonymous

In a compound engine the steam first enters the small or high pressure cylinder and is then exhausted into the large or low pressure cylinder, where the expansive force is all obtained.

From Rough and Tumble Engineering by Maggard, James H.

The invention of the compound engine has reduced the expense of running about one-half, while it has doubled the room left for the cargo.

From The Railroad Question A historical and practical treatise on railroads, and remedies for their abuses by Larrabee, William

Driven by a little steeple compound engine, in the pride of her youth she could make ten knots.

From Captain Scraggs or, The Green-Pea Pirates by Grant, Gordon