1 Joe Barnhart English 101 Definition Essay October 10, 2011 Turbocharger

When people talk about racecars or high-performance sports cars, the topic of turbochargers usually comes up. Although the word is dropped into many conversations about cars, most people have at best, a minimal idea of what a turbo is or how it works. The definition of a turbocharger is a centrifugal compressor which boosts the intake pressure of an internalcombustion engine, driven by an exhaust-gas turbine fitted to the engines exhaust manifold (Dictionary). Basically, it will compress the air flowing into the engine. A turbocharged engine has many complex parts, will produce a great amount of power in a variety of setups, and can achieve a better gas mileage over the same engine that is naturally aspirated. Turbocharges are a complex technology that has many important components. The turbocharger works by means of a compressor wheel spooling and drawing outside air from the intake then compressing it. This is referred to as boost. The denser, hotter air then travels from the turbochargers compressor to the air-cooled intercooler. After traveling through the intercooler, the cooled and even denser air travels through the intake manifold, where it is equally distributed to the cylinders. The injectors squirt in the needed fuel and the spark plugs fire, which results in the mixture burning and thus creating the high pressure that drives down the piston. The spent gases exit the cylinder and then spin the turbine side of the turbo, completing the cycle. When the throttle closes the air coming from the turbo will need a place to go, if not turbo bark can be created which will ruin it by forcing the turbine to spin in an opposite direction. This is where a blow off valve is needed to redirect the air back into the intake to be

2 reused or released atmospherically. When no boost is required, for example, when a car is coasting, a waste gate will open to allow the exhaust gases to bypass the turbine. There are many setups in which you can use turbochargers in cars and depends on what the driver needs. One-way is twin turbocharging and it is used to make amazing top end power. The two usually large turbos will take a bit more time to spool called turbo lag, but will help each other fully spool and then will create an immense amount of boost and power. Another way is to use compound turbochargers; this is when a smaller and a larger turbo are combined to create an excellent range of power. The smaller turbo will spool first and help spool the larger turbo this then creates a smooth strong acceleration throughout the power band. Twin charging is another possible but rarely seen setup; this is when a supercharger and a turbocharger is combined. The supercharger will create an immediate acceleration, helping the turbo spool so when it is fully spooled it will create an immerse amount of top end power. This setup is very similar to twin turbos but with the supercharger will create instant acceleration. A turbocharged engine has the potential to be more economical than a naturally aspirated engine for two reasons, thermal efficiency and output of power. Since a turbo makes use of both the heat and flow, they run hotter and will burn a greater percentage of fuel that is injected into each cylinder. Modern engines using well-matched turbos and other new technologies like direct fuel injection is capable of exceeding the performance of naturally aspirated engines and will save greatly on fuel consumption at idling speeds. A small turbocharged motor will perform like a big engine, but with much less thirst and emissions. This is solely because they require much less fuel to accelerate and cruise at speeds but will deliver more horsepower, torque and burn all fuel used. Turbochargers can be used in many different applications for cars depending on what is

3 required or desired. A turbocharged engine has better fuel economy, better CO2 emissions, and the potential to deliver greater power than a much larger naturally aspirated engine. There are applications to save gas, and make more power top-end, low-end, or the whole powerband. Turbochargers are also a complex piece of technology that require many important parts to generate power, and contain the power to transform your grandmas 1994 Oldsmobile EightyEight Royale into a racecar.

Works Cited

1. "Turbochargers - Definition of Turbochargers by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia." Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary. Free Dictionary. Web. 21 Oct. 2011. <http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Turbochargers>.

Turbocharger Outline 1. Introduction a. Definition of turbocharger b. Thesis 2. How a turbocharger works a. Parts needed b. Route of cycle i. Blow off valve ii. Wastegate 3. Types of turbocharger setups a. Twin turbochargers b. Compound turbochargers c. Twincharging 4. An economical engine a. Thermal efficiency b. Power output

5. conclusion