What is the principle of a car supercharger?
2 Answers
Working principle of exhaust turbocharger is as follows: 1. Increase intake air volume by compressing air: It uses the inertial impulse of exhaust gas discharged from the engine to drive the turbine in the turbine chamber, which in turn drives the coaxial impeller. The impeller pressurizes the air delivered from the air filter pipeline, forcing it into the cylinder under increased pressure. The increased pressure and density of the air entering the cylinder allow for more fuel to be burned. By correspondingly increasing the fuel quantity and adjusting the engine speed, the engine's output power can be increased. 2. Utilize the energy of exhaust gas discharged from the engine: The energy impacts the turbine installed in the exhaust system, causing it to rotate at high speed while simultaneously driving the compressor to rotate together. The compressor compresses the intake air, forcibly pressurizing it before delivering it into the cylinder. Since engine power is directly proportional to the intake air volume, the engine power can be improved. 3. Extremely high pressure is generated internally: Although the turbine body has holes to release high-pressure gas, it still appears somewhat insufficient when facing continuous pressurization. The pressure relief valve allows the high-pressure gas to be rapidly released, preparing for the next pressurization action.
As an automotive enthusiast, I'm particularly fascinated by how superchargers work. Simply put, when the engine operates, it expels exhaust gases that drive a turbine to rotate. This turbine then powers a compressor to forcefully compress air into the cylinders. This increases air density, allowing more oxygen to mix with fuel for combustion, resulting in significantly greater power output. Modern turbocharged cars might have a bit of lag at startup, but once the revs climb, the acceleration is intense, delivering strong push-back sensations. Small-displacement engines equipped with superchargers can achieve performance comparable to larger engines, making them especially suitable for mountain driving or situations requiring extra power for overtaking. Having driven such vehicles, I've noticed remarkable performance improvements along with better fuel efficiency. However, long-term use requires attention to cooling system maintenance to prevent overheating. After installing a supercharger, the entire engine responds more quickly, doubling the driving pleasure.
