What Is Centrifugal Supercharger?

Centrifugal superchargers, often referred to as centrifugal turbochargers, function in much the same way as turbochargers; however, they are powered by the engine rather than the exhaust.

The impeller rotates as a result of an engine belt spinning a pulley that is attached to the supercharger transmission, which multiplies the gear ratio between the engine and the impeller, providing a greater boost at each engine rpm.

Horsepower can be added up to 40-80%. It is a magical device that is placed on or next to the engine. Boost can accelerate your vehicle from zero to three-digit speeds at the same time as the engine sounds like crazy bridesmaids.

All due respect to this little device called the centrifugal type supercharger. This provides greater air density for each intake cycle of the engine.

More air means more oxygen in the combustion chamber to burn more fuel. It is very valuable for boosting automobile vehicles and for the extra horsepower required for racing.

A supercharger centrifugal, often confused with a centrifugal turbo, is similar in appearance to a turbocharger, but it is driven by a belt drive or chain drive through the engine’s crankshaft while the turbocharger gets its power from exhaust gases.

It is more widely used than the positive displacement supercharger. A centrifugal supercharger resembles a turbocharger on the compressor side, and this is no coincidence.

Like a centrifugal charger, it uses an impeller to compress the intake air and force it into the engine. But instead of using exhaust gases to get the impeller spinning, it uses a pulley attached to a belt-driven by the engine.

Centrifugal Superchargers:

Mention supercharger parts, & I’m sure most peoples will think of those giant positive-displacement air pumps sitting in the center of the V in a V8 engine.

Driven directly from the nose of the crankshaft using a V or toothed belt drive and exited through the bonnet or hood, just the sight of one is spine-tingling in anticipation of engine performance.

Delivering massive amounts of engine torque at impressively low engine speeds can be great, but in the modern world, where thermal efficiencies & under-bonnet packaging count in more people’s eyes, there’s another way – the centrifugal supercharger.

In terms of air compression efficiency, centrifugal super charger compressors, when considering jeld wen vs ply gem, are likely to be far more efficient than other types of superchargers, & values ​​of adiabatic efficiency of more than 80% can be easily realized.

More important, though, efficient compression reduces the rise in temperature of the engine intake charge, and with lower charge temperatures, the likelihood of a combustion explosion is reduced. And if there’s one thing supercharged spark-ignition engines love, it’s very cold, dense oncoming air.

However, the problem with a centrifugal supercharger diagram is that the air flowing through it is proportional to squares of the rotational speed of the impeller.

Compare this to the air flowing through an internal combustion engine, which is only proportional to speed, and immediately you can see that there is a mismatch.

This is not a problem when belt driven turbocharger centrifugal compressors are driven by an inward flow radial turbine, as is the case with a typical turbocharger.

Here, the mass flow of the exhaust gas that powers the turbine effectively balances the work done by the compressor, & the systems, if designed well, will achieve their balance.

But when this compressor, often questioned what’s a centrifugal supercharger, is driven mechanically from the crankshaft, compromises have to be made.

Working of Centrifugal Supercharger:

As soon as the engine starts, the supercharger connected to the crankshaft through the belt also starts rotating. The impeller of the centrifugal supercharger begins to rotate and axially sucks the high-speed and low-pressure air from the atmosphere.

It compresses the air, reducing the wind speed, and delivers high-density air at its outlet. The pressure increases and the velocity decreases as the air moves from the impeller blade to the diffuser blade and then finally through the casing.

High density and high pressure compressed air is sent to the inlet manifold of the engine. This highly dense air burns the fuel in the engine cylinders more efficiently and substantially increases the power of the internal combustion engine. The impeller rotates at a speed of up to 100,000 rpm.

Working Principle of Centrifugal Supercharger:

The impeller gains rotational motion through the driving pulley, which is connected via a crankshaft to a chain drive or belt drive. This impeller rotates at a very high speed, can begin to suck the low-pressure and high-velocity air, and be drawn directly onto the diffuser.

The diffuser is placed inside the housing and is fixed with an impeller and which converts this centrifugal force into high pressure and low velocity, in which the condensation of hot air is delivered to the intercooler through an outlet of the housing.

The intercooler can lower the air temperature and send cooler air containing more air molecules and more oxygen to the engine’s inlet valve during the suction stroke. More air can burn more fuel to generate larger horsepower than an internal combustion engine.

If the unit is geared to supply sensible boost pressure at low to medium speeds, excessive intake pressure will be generated at high speeds. Counter this, some sort of blow-off valve limiting the maximum boost pressure may be provided, but this is highly inefficient and inevitably noisy.

On larger installations, where weight and/or size are not an issue, some type of continuously variable transmission may be included, but at this level of complexity, weight may also be an issue.

Therefore, the most sensible approach, especially when considering is a centrifugal supercharger a turbo, is to tune the compressor wheel speed to maximum boost at maximum engine speed.

When this isn’t necessary, for example, when cruising down the road, the effort should produce knock-free motoring in an effort to provide little but no boost.

In addition, since there will be little or no increase in normal road driving speed when used as daily transport, fuel savings and tailpipe emissions should not exceed legal requirements.

Main Parts of Centrifugal Supercharger:

1. Impeller

It is a revolving wheel that must spin at high rpm. It can be removed by scrolling the nut on the end of the impeller shaft. The impeller is made of steel and alloyed alloys and is machined on a CNC milling machine. The impeller speed can reach 100,000 rpm.

2. Gears

The centrifugal supercharger has a larger gearing section. The sun gear is small, surrounded by a mid-size three gears closed with a ring gear.

3. Transmission

Planetary gears help an impeller to achieve greater speed and are needed to produce the desired boost. The sun gears are connected directly to the impeller shaft, and the ring gear is connected to the engine’s crankshafts via a belt or chain.

4. Diffuser

It is a stationary wheel with a larger vane than an impeller. The impeller sucks air at high speed and low pressure. A diffuser converts this into low-speed and high-pressure air. This air travels throughout the housing outlet.

5. Driven Pulley

The drive pulley is getting the rotational moment from the engine crankshaft, which is connected via a belt or chain with the drive pulley of an engine.

6. Bearings

The ball bearing actually supports the rotating shaft, which absorbs the drive load. After long use of the device, the bearing may wear out and cause noise problems.

7. Aeration Pump

Aeration pump placed under transmission. It provides self-contained grease with good bearing lubrication.

8. Housing

The outer body of the device is called the housing. It is made of aluminum and is a material that has high strength, and low weight, and is also corrosion-resistant. The housing is manufactured by the casting process and machined in a way that must match the impeller design and size.

FAQs About Centrifugal Superchargers

What Is a Centrifugal Supercharger?

A centrifugal supercharger is a type of forced induction system that increases an engine’s power by compressing the intake air. It uses a belt-driven impeller to force more air into the engine, enhancing combustion and boosting horsepower.

How Does a Centrifugal Supercharger Work?

The centrifugal supercharger works by using a belt connected to the engine’s crankshaft to spin an impeller at high speeds. This impeller draws in air, compresses it, and forces it into the engine’s intake manifold, increasing air density and improving engine performance.

What Are the Main Components of a Centrifugal Supercharger?

Key components include the impeller, gears, transmission, diffuser, driven pulley, bearings, aeration pump, and housing. Each part plays a crucial role in the compression and delivery of air to the engine.

How Does a Centrifugal Supercharger Differ from a Turbocharger?

The main difference is that a centrifugal supercharger is driven by a belt connected to the engine’s crankshaft, while a turbocharger is powered by exhaust gases. This makes the supercharger a mechanical device, whereas the turbocharger is a gas-powered device.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Centrifugal Supercharger?

Benefits include increased air density for better combustion, improved horsepower and torque, and enhanced engine performance. Centrifugal superchargers are also generally more efficient in terms of air compression and can deliver high power gains with relatively less boost at lower engine speeds.

Are There Any Downsides to Centrifugal Superchargers?

Potential downsides include the need for regular maintenance, as components like bearings and gears can wear out over time. Additionally, centrifugal superchargers may generate excessive intake pressure at high engine speeds, which can lead to inefficiencies and noise.

How Does a Centrifugal Supercharger Affect Fuel Consumption?

While a centrifugal supercharger can improve performance, it may also lead to increased fuel consumption as the engine burns more fuel to match the increased air intake. However, it can also provide better fuel efficiency compared to some other forced induction systems if properly tuned.

Can I Install a Centrifugal Supercharger on Any Vehicle?

Installation is generally feasible for most vehicles, but it requires compatibility with the engine and proper setup to ensure optimal performance. Consulting with a professional or manufacturer is recommended to ensure a successful installation.

How Can I Maintain a Centrifugal Supercharger?

Regular maintenance includes checking and replacing the drive belt or chain, inspecting bearings, and ensuring the supercharger is properly lubricated. Periodic servicing is essential to keep the system running smoothly and avoid potential issues.

What Kind of Performance Gains Can I Expect from a Centrifugal Supercharger?

Performance gains vary based on the supercharger’s design and the engine it’s installed on. Typically, a centrifugal supercharger can add 40-80% more horsepower, depending on the boost level and engine setup.