If you're talking about modern diesel submarines, I'm pretty sure they are all improved versions of the diesel-electric drives developed by the Americans prior to WW2. The diesel engines do nothing but drive the generators. The generators 1) Drive the motors which propel the sub, 2) power the boat's systems, and 3) recharge the batteries. Of course while submerged the batteries drive the motors and power the systems. There is also at least one small axhiliary diesel engine which drives its own generator to help supply power and ease the load of the main generators.
http://www.maritime.org/fleetsub/elect/chap2.htm#2A
If you meant WW2 u-boats, they had the engines either propel the boat directly or recharge the batteries.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Platapus
BTW, you have a lot of nerve asking a legitimate submarine question here in GT.
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On the other hand we have a whole forum dedicated to this sort of thing.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/forumdisplay.php?f=186