What connects the high pressure turbine to the low pressure turbine?

The high-pressure turbine is connected to the low-pressure turbine through a crossover or crossunder pipe. This piping allows for the passage of steam or gas from the high-pressure turbine to the low-pressure turbine, facilitating the energy conversion processes that occur within a steam or gas turbine engine.

The design is critical as it directs the flow of exhaust gases or steam efficiently from one turbine stage to the next, allowing for optimal performance and energy extraction. By effectively connecting the two turbines, the crossover pipe plays a vital role in maintaining the continuity of the cycle and ensuring the turbines can operate in succession without significant losses in pressure or temperature.

Other components, like expansion joints, connector flanges, and stub pipes, serve different purposes within a mechanical system. Expansion joints allow for thermal expansion and movement, connector flanges facilitate the joining of different sections of pipe or components, and stub pipes are generally short sections used for connecting equipment or systems. However, none of these perform the specific function of connecting the high-pressure turbine directly to the low-pressure turbine as efficiently as the crossover pipe does.