hal@aesat.UUCP (Hal Patnaik) (09/21/84)
Could someone please explain the difference between a supercharger
and a turbocharger?
I already know how a turbo works, so don't bother explaining that to
me, but what exactly does a supercharger do?
Hal Patnaik
{allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!aesat!hal
AES DATA, Inc. Bus: (416) 821-9190 x. 364
1900 Minnesota Crt. Home: (416) 844-1607
Mississauga, Ont.
CANADAgvcormack@watdaisy.UUCP (Gordon V. Cormack) (09/24/84)
Superchargers and turbochargers both use a pump to increase the pressure (hence amount) of air/fuel going into the engine. The only difference is that superchargers are mechanically driven from the engine, whereas turbos are driven by turbine using exhaust gas pressure. Since this energy is normally lost, the turbos run "for free" but superchargers use useful energy. Unfortunately, there is only a lot of exhaust gas flow to drive the turbine when the engine is already working hard, so there is a positive feedback problem. This problem is characterized by a lag and then sudden onset of power. In summary, turbos are more efficient but superchargers can give a much more even boost. - Gord Cormack, University of Waterloo ... watdaisy!gvcormack
phil@amd.UUCP (Phil Ngai) (09/29/84)
> gas pressure. Since this energy is normally lost, the turbos run > "for free" but superchargers use useful energy. Unfortunately, there > > - Gord Cormack, University of Waterloo > ... watdaisy!gvcormack This has always seemed odd to me. Intuitively I think that the turbo must increase the backpressure seen by the motor, which is just another way of reducing the useful work it can do. It doesn't seem "free" to me. -- Phil Ngai (408) 982-6554 UUCPnet: {ucbvax,decwrl,ihnp4,allegra,intelca}!amd!phil ARPAnet: amd!phil@decwrl.ARPA