engine/turbo theory question

[RubEric at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/12/00 8:09:24 AM Pacific Daylight Time, rdeis at io.com 
writes:

<< A turbocharger harnesses waste heat in the *current* mass flow to get
 *more* mass flow. So, the turbo essentially powers itself.
 
 As a matter of fact- if you could tap the turbo shaft to drive things
 instead of the crankshaft you wouldn't need the engine at all. (Jet
 Power!) >>


The R-3350 turbo Compound aircraft engine (Super Constellation, DC-7, P2V) 
did just that.  There were three exhaust gas turbines connected to the 
crankshaft via a viscous coupling to feed the power back into the engine.  
The were good for an additional 250 hp EACH at take off power.

Eric