Profane Vortex

Turbocharged

In an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger (often called a turbo) is a forced induction device that is powered by the flow of exhaust gases. It uses this energy to compress the intake gas, forcing more air into the engine in order to produce more power for a given displacement.The history of turbochargers began in 1878 with the invention of mechanically-powered superchargers. The birth of the turbocharger is often attributed to Swiss engineer Alfred Büchi's 1905 patent, with the first prototype completed in 1915. Turbochargers were first used commercially in 1925, increasing the power output of diesel engines in two large passenger ships. During World War II, they were used in various aircraft engines, and Swiss truck manufacturer Saurer pioneered their… more »