Turbochargers and

Superchargers
Karl Lynch

Increasing Engine Power

There are a few ways to increase
engine horsepower:
Larger engine displacement
But its costly and adds unwanted
weight

Nitrous oxide
Short duration of increased power

Turbochargers and Superchargers

Lightweight, relatively cheap,
continuous supply of power
Turbocharger

Brief History
1st forced induction patent in 1885 to Gottlieb
Daimler
1st turbocharger patent given in 1905 to Alfred
Bchi
Installed on French WW1 fighter planes to limited
success
GE installed a turbocharger on a plane in 1918
Began being used on diesels in the 1920s

Forced Induction
All naturally aspirated engines use the down stroke of
the piston to create a low pressure area, drawing in the
air and fuel mixture into the cylinder
However, most engines cannot inhale the full
displacement of the atmospheric-density fuel mixture
This volumetric efficiency varies from engine to engine
Forced induction is when air is forced into the cylinder to
increase the volumetric efficiency

How turbochargers work

They are used to increase the volumetric efficiency of the
engine by increasing the air-fuel mixture entering the
cylinder
The turbocharger housing contains a turbine and
centrifugal air compressor on the same shaft
The exhaust leaving cylinder spins turbine
The compressor forces more air into the cylinder
Compressor typically increases pressure by 6-8 psi,
but it can be greater
Increased air pressure allows more fuel to burn

 The compressed air is usually cooled to allow more

air in the cylinder and to prevent knocking
The increase of 6-8 psi increases horsepower by 3040%

Turbocharger vs. Supercharger

Both operate on the same
principle
Both use forced induction to
increase engine performance

Supercharger use belts and

chains that are directly
connected to the engine to
drive the compressor
Results in the engine needing
to withstand the stresses of
generating the increased
power
Supercharger

 Turbochargers do not place a

direct mechanical load on the
engine
Allows the turbocharger to
produce more power that the
supercharger without
stronger hardware in the
engine

Turbocharger connected to engine

 However, the increased power using a supercharger is

immediate, while a turbochargers power increase
contains a lag
The lag is because the turbine in the turbocharger
needs to increase in speed using the exhaust
Lag can be reduced by reducing the moment of inertia
of the turbine

Cut-away view
Turbine is on the left,
compressor on the right

Applications
High altitudes:
Aircraft and automobiles
Air pressure is less at high
altitudes, so there is less air
in naturally aspirated engines
This leads to less power
Turbochargers will increase
the pressure, reducing
altitude induced power loss

 Increasing power
Used on heavy trucks, ships,
etc.
Much better power:weight
ratio than just putting in a
larger engine

Summary
Turbochargers are one of the best ways to increase power
Theyre lighter and cost less than a larger engine
Do not place as much stress on the engine as a supercharger does
They actually help to increase efficiency

Twin turbochargers on
an engine