How Does an Engine Turbocharger Work?
2 Answers
Engine turbocharger works by converting the power generated from exhaust gas into increased pressure in the intake pipe. There is a fan blade in the exhaust pipe and another in the intake pipe. When the engine is running and producing exhaust gas, the blade in the exhaust pipe rotates, driving the blade in the intake pipe to rotate via a shaft, thereby increasing the intake pressure. When the throttle is increased, the exhaust gas also increases, and the intake air increases accordingly with the exhaust gas. The exhaust turbocharger for automotive engines is a highly precise device widely used in power equipment such as engineering machinery and generator sets. Without altering the basic structure of the diesel engine, the turbocharger can increase the power by thirty percent or even more.
As an ordinary car enthusiast, I initially didn’t quite understand how a turbocharger works either. After researching, I found it’s actually quite simple: it’s a device that uses exhaust gases to boost engine power. When the engine runs, it produces a large amount of exhaust gas, which, when expelled, spins a turbine blade similar to a windmill, causing the turbine to rotate at high speed. The turbine is connected to a compressor, which draws in outside air, compresses it, and sends it into the engine’s combustion chamber. This way, with more oxygen during combustion and more fuel injected, the engine can deliver stronger horsepower. The benefits are better fuel efficiency and more power, allowing small-displacement cars to achieve high performance. After driving one, I noticed a significant power boost, especially when overtaking on highways—it feels exhilarating. However, there’s a minor drawback called turbo lag, where there’s a slight delay in response after pressing the accelerator, though newer models have largely resolved this. Overall, the cleverness of this design lies in reusing waste energy, unlike naturally aspirated engines that rely solely on displacement for power.
