Hey guys. In my communications class we have to give an Informative speech. So the topic I chose was "How a turbocharger works." Now, I myself completely grasp the concept of how it works and what it does. I'm just having a difficult time noob-ifying it for my class. Ya' know what I mean? Like I know what it does and all, I'm just unsure of how to state how it works. So, I'm asking you guys to basically help me dumb down and explain how a turbo works and what it does.

Thanks in advance

Graham

 

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/turbo.htm

 

I did that for my Public Speaking class. I used the analogy of a forest fire... the more air the hotter and more energy the fire had people understand that... The exhaust gas turns a blade that then turns another that sucks air. LOL!

 

Haha. Very nice analogy. mind if i borrow it?

And thanks for the link!

This place is aweosme. People are soo helpful here. I love it!

 

Easy.

Gasoline and other fuels are chemical energy. by mixing this fuel with air and burning it, we transfer chemical energy into mechanical energy (motion)

Automobiles are hugely inefficient at transfering chemical energy into mechanical energy. We loose energy in heat (through friction, and as a byproduct of the burning), as well as a ton of energy blowing out the tail-pipe. If you put a small ball in your tail pipe, start the car and hit the gas, you will see this wasted energy being blown out the tail pipe.

A turbocharger harnesses this wasted energy and uses it to push more air into the engine. by pushing more air into the engine, you can add more fuel. more fuel = more chemical energy, and thus more mechanical energy.

Now, if we could only figure out how to better harness that lost heat energy, we could make cars far more efficient... anyone want to stick a steam turbine on their coolant system? Harness enough of that heat energy and we may be able to get rid of the charging system. :-)

 

Thanks guys. I love this place. Even though I dont own an Evo.

 

When I explain it, usually I give them a quick explanation of the piston-driven engine so they understand where this exhaust is coming from.