Supercharger

Supercharger is a compressor that is used to pump fresh air into the combustion chamber(s) of an internal combustion engine. Throwing additional quantity of fresh air allows the engine to burn more fuel due to the excess of oxygen. The increased volume of fuel and air in the engine helps in producing more power.

A supercharger is generally driven by a belt or chain, from the engine's crankshaft. It can even be powered by a gas turbine from the exhaust gases of the engine. These turbine-driven superchargers are commonly known as turbo-superchargers or turbochargers. Superchargers are generally classified on the basis of the method of compression, namely: positive displacement and dynamic compressors. The positive displacement superchargers provide a consistent level of boost and do not depend on the engine speed. The major varieties of positive displacement pumps are: Roots, Lysholm screw, Sliding Vane, and Scroll-type supercharger. On the other hand, the dynamic compressor provides the power boost depending upon the increasing speed of the engine. The major varieties of dynamic compressor are: Centrifugal and Multi stage axial flow.

Using a supercharger helps in increasing the horsepower delivered by the engine. Installing a supercharger is comparatively cheaper and easier to service and maintain than a turbocharger, as it can be bolted to the top or side of the engine. Several car parts and accessory stores provide supercharger kits.