free turbine

free turbine

[¦frē ′tər·bən] (mechanical engineering) In a turbine engine, a turbine wheel that drives the output shaft and is not connected to the shaft driving the compressor.

free turbine

free turbineFree turbine in a turboprop engine.A separate turbine that is not mechanically connected to the remainder of the engine, as for example in some turboprop engines that drive the propeller. Arrangements have to be made for braking the propeller, to prevent it from spinning in a wind when the aircraft is at rest, and for shutting off the fuel when the power turbine is unloaded. See also free power turbine.