Wednesday, November 13, 2013
What Are the Different Kinds of Turbochargers
Developed as a means of increasing the power and reducing the fuel used through the compression of air, turbochargers were initially limited to large gas powered engines such as trucks and boats. It was not until 1962 that American automakers first utilized them in passenger vehicles, but did not gain real ground until the 1970s when diesel-run engines began to utilize the technology. Today, turbochargers are more common and the industry has expanded beyond the standard style.
Axial-flow Turbocharger
Axial-flow turbochargers are defined by the manner in which the fuel flows through the turbine. With axial-flow turbochargers the fuel flow comes through the wheel in an axial direction. With this type of turbocharger expansion of the gas from the exhaust creates an output the helps the turbine to rotate the compressor. As the size of the vehicle is important in determining the vehicles correct turbocharger, it is important to consider that axial-flow turbochargers are most commonly used with vehicles with a wheel diameter of 300mm and up and would not be suitable for smaller vehicles.
Radial Flow Turbocharger
With a gas outflow that uses the same principles as the axial flow turbocharger, the radial-flow turbocharger is differentiated by the unique gas inflow structure. The centripetal gas inflow is directed from the outside in a radial direction and sets this turbocharger apart from the axial-flow model. Generally utilized on vehicles with a wheel diameter of 160mm or less, this kind of turbocharger can increase the power of a vehicle to up to 1,000 horsepower.
Exhaust Gas Turbocharger
The benefits of turbochargers are many, from increased speed, power, and engine functionality, but there are environmental benefits, as well, such as decreased gas consumptions. Exhaust gas turbochargers have another added benefit. With exhaust gas turbo chargers, the exhaust from the vehicle is recycled into the compressor to provide power for the turbine. To accomplish this, a compressor is mounted beside the turbine on the same shaft. The turbine draws in the exhaust, which would otherwise go into the atmosphere, compresses and feeds it into the engine to provide extra power. Unlike mechanically enhanced turbochargers, no mechanical coupling occurs in the engine.
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