Many began to ask me a question about the drive compressor or air blower. After all, it can really be put on our native VAZ. Today I want to talk about this device in more detail, namely how it works and whether it is possible to install it yourself ...
In general, the idea of compressors is as old as the world. As early as the 1900s, such devices were proposed to increase engine power by forcing additional air into the cylinders. Let's get a little definition.
Drive compressor (or blower) - this is a unit that is installed on a car engine, creates additional air injection into the combustion chambers, which, with a slight alteration of fuel injection, gives additional power, sometimes up to 30%.
If you say in simple words what happens - miracles, as they say, do not happen, if you want to increase power, then you need to burn more fuel, but in order to effectively oxidize it, it needs more oxygen. If you exaggerate this, then the compressor does it. That is, you increase the fuel supply, for example - put a new one, install a compressor and get - power. Everything is simple.
TURBO NOT TURBO
In short, there are now many constructive varieties of compressors. Some work using the energy of exhaust gases (TURBO), others - using a drive (NOT TURBO). It is about the second that we will talk today. By the way, you can read the link.
If you disassemble the design of such nodes, you can identify a certain similarity in the structure. Namely, such compressors operate from a drive that does not require intervention in regular systems engine, namely in the lubrication and exhaust gas system, which is very important! This design is really very simple - a direct connection is established with the “crankshaft”, which allows the engine and supercharger to interact perfectly during acceleration. That is, the higher the speed, the faster the “crankshaft” rotates, and accordingly spins the supercharger! Due to this interaction, there is practically no such thing as "turbojam". Also, an additional plus is the lack of work at high temperatures, like the TURBO options, which means that the resource is much increased - after all, the “turbine” does not need to cool down here, that is, “” or “boost controllers” are not required, just turn off the car and work stops. Site autoflit.ru recommends doing the same. Who is interested come in.
Types of driven compressors
It's time to talk about the devices of the "drive versions". Now there are only three types: - these are rotary, screw and centrifugal. The first two options pump air using certain cylindrical rotors or "vanes", the latter works like a cooler, that is, it blows with blades.
Rotary types
Compressors that are used quite widely. The main plus is average price, great service strings, high frequency supply air, smooth and stable operation, fast response to speed crankshaft.
The air in this system is not compressed, it seems to go inside, and then the blades, which are made in the form of a rotor, pump it into the engine. Therefore, they received the name - compressor with external compression. The downside is that with an increase in intake pressure, efficiency drops.
The structure most often consists of two rotors, on the inlet and outlet windows, see the photo. They are located transversely.
The disadvantages of this design are:
1) Efficiency depends on clearances between shafts and other parts.
2) The greatest heating of all other types.
3) Loud noise and shaft vibration.
4) Not very strong pressure of about 0.7 bar maximum.
To summarize, it becomes clear that this type is far from ideal. Some may ask the question - why are the blades screw? There are two reasons for this, the first is an increase in air pressure and the second is a decrease in noise (although it does not help much).
screw type
It is more perfect and robust construction supercharger. The principle of operation here is also simple - compression occurs due to a change in the volume of the cavities between the body and the rotation screws (kind of rotors). The air here moves diagonally. Big pluses this option is high efficiency up to 85%, as well as high air pressure (from 1 bar to above), this is achieved by high speeds, sometimes up to 12,000 rpm. It is because of this that you can make the case more miniature. I must say this option is often used on racing cars because of the reliability and small body.
The only disadvantages can be called a complex structure and repair, which increases the price of the final product. If such a drive compressor fails, then it is necessary to repair it at specialized stations, preferably from the manufacturer.
As can be seen on the design, there are two rotors, with toothed spiral teeth. Their profiles are fully consistent with each other when in contact, which makes the design very reliable.
Most common on engines internal combustion, work with the help of the so-called blades or "blades". If we compare them with the previous two, then this type is the most compact of all, and it is also simple in manufacturing technology, which reduces the cost of its final cost. Often it can be confused with the TURBO option (which runs on exhaust gases), due to a similar design, but this is completely wrong, these are two completely different devices.
The principle of the structure - consists of an inlet part, a working part (blade-blade) and a diffuser, which can be either bladed or bladeless. Required for installation and air intake, made in the form of a "snail".
After passing through a special filter (by the way, it is also mandatory, otherwise all the dust will be inside the engine), it enters a special inlet which gradually narrows (for minimal air loss during supply), then follows to the wheel. The impeller is mounted on special fastening, however, there were cases when it was placed on the shaft itself. Coming through mechanical transmission(drive), communicates with the crankshaft.
These options are the most common in our domestic cars(in particular VAZ). They are taken for durability, low price, versatility and compactness.
The disadvantages of such compressors is - low, but at high engine power can increase up to 30% of the nominal value. At a speed of 4000, the pressure can reach 0.5 - 0.6 bar.
Installing a compressor on a VAZ
Needless to say, basically our domestic market consists of AvtoVAZ products, it is with it that young “tuners” start, so the most common question is can it be installed on a VAZ?
Of course you can, and the last one - the centrifugal type is often already on complete set, for installation on our cars, that is, the so-called "KIT set".
Mounting the system is quite simple. However, first you need to install an enlarged gasket between the block and the head of the block. This is what the manufacturer recommends. The following is an exaggerated connection diagram:
1) Set up the air intake filter.
2) We fix the case on the bracket
3) We connect the crankshaft drive.
4) Fasten the drive belt
5) We use.
Now short video for understanding.
What can be achieved - as I wrote above, on high revs pressure can reach 0.5 - 0.6 bar. If you correctly adjust the fuel injection, flash the ECU, or reconfigure the carburetor, you can achieve 30% at the top! This is very significant.
I will end here, I think my article was useful to you.
Today I want to raise an interesting topic, in principle, this is a logical continuation of the article,. If we jump ahead a little on the topic, it turns out that now all turbocharged engines use mechanical air compressors, this approach has many pluses and many minuses. But recently, many companies began to think about electric turbines that will not use the exhaust gases of a car, and also will not have mechanical connections and drives, and an electric motor will pump air, which will be “powered” by onboard system …
The idea is good! After all, many disadvantages of mechanical systems can be avoided, especially turbines that operate from exhaust gases, such as:
2) Turbine cooling
3) Engine oil lubrication
4) Oil consumption
5) Well, and of course the resource
If you draw a line, you can understand that mechanical systems are far from ideal. Of course they will be more reliable. However, they also have disadvantages, this is the same drive that uses a conventional belt for operation, which wears out over time.
In general, the developers thought and realized that mechanics can be replaced with electrics! Or not?
Structure principle
It should be noted that now some German manufacturers have such superchargers in the structure of their engines. And they are placed, as you understand, in the air intake system. The first to use such superchargers Mercedes, BMW and AUDI.
The principle here is simple - a powerful "fan" is installed, which creates a pressure of about 0.5 atmospheres (and possibly more). Powered by the car's electrical system, it pumps extra oxygen into the engine to increase power. With fuel supply settings, you can achieve a significant increase - about 20 - 30%.
An electric turbine should also be tuned to certain speeds, for example, at idle it should work more slowly, and at high speeds, respectively, faster. It turns out almost the perfect system! But what's the catch, where are the cons? And you know they are.
Cons of the electric option
Many of my readers think that it is very easy to make such a system, you need to take some kind of cooler and insert it into the air intake pipe, and here it is happiness! Such “miracle coolers” are usually sold in Chinese online stores, we will talk about such types below.
However, the guys here are not so simple. In normal (idle) mode, naturally aspirated engine 1.6 liters consumes approximately 300 - 400 liters of air per hour of operation. And at high speeds, let's say at 4000 - 5000, we multiply this figure by 4 - 5, that is, 1200 - 1600 liters. Just imagine this volume! If you calculate the minute consumption 300/60 = 5 liters per minute, or 20 at high speeds.
So - the electric turbine should increase this figure, and not slow it down! If you put weak engine, he won't pump the right pressure, and will create the effect " air lock”, that is, with its blades it will slow down the flow of air into the engine - interfere with the normal passage.
Now imagine what kind of electric version of the engine is needed to pump such a volume! I repeat, to increase performance, you need at least 6 - 7 liters of air at idle, and 25 at high, and this is for the 1.6 liter version, more is needed for large volumes.
If we draw an analogy with German manufacturers, then at least a brushless 0.5 kW electric motor is used there, which rotates at a frantic speed, can reach up to 20,000 and its pressure capacity is from 1 to 5 atmospheres.
For more powerful cars, apply more powerful engines up to 0.7 kW.
As it becomes clear, a standard generator may not be able to handle such electricity consumption, so it is replaced with a more powerful one, or an additional one is installed.
And as you know high consumption energy simply slows down the generators, and therefore increases the braking of the engine, which will affect its output, and the efficiency decreases.
However, the experiments carried out revealed an increase in productivity, by about 20 - 30% this is significant. But due to the complexity and high cost of devices, application on cars has not yet been mass-produced.
For example, mechanical compressors are much cheaper and more efficient. Sometimes the difference in price can reach 5 - 7 times.
A few words about Chinese electric turbines
Literally 2 years ago, "autointernet" just exploded from electric turbines from China. A small "thing" was offered, which was installed in the gap of the air intake hose, which supposedly forced air with pressure into the engine, the promised increase in power up to - 15%! The engine itself was an incomprehensible cooler, neither electricity consumption, nor revolutions, nor pumped air - there were no indicators. If you disassemble it even visually, it becomes clear that this is a cooler similar to advanced computer ones, what can it increase? NOTHING! So just do not buy - it's a DIVORCE.
Now, of course, other electric turbines are beginning to appear on the same Chinese sites, many are even made in the shape of a snail - ala a mechanical compressor. But again, there are no pressure indicators, no consumption, no air pumping. Think before you buy. Let's watch an educational video.
Is it possible to make an electric version with your own hands
Hypothetically, it is possible, and many install this on their car. Personally, I also thought about installing it on my car, but the price stopped me.
You need to decide a number of points:
1) Definitely installing a powerful generator, which is already expensive for a foreign car.
2) A powerful and compact electric motor, preferably a brushless one, it gives high speed with optimal energy consumption. Personally, I have seen such compact models, however, with a power of 0.5 kW or more, it is also not cheap.
3) Impeller and housing. You also need to make yourself or buy, for maximum air injection. Also a difficult task.
4) And of course the stabilizer or inverters to power the electric motor.
The tasks are not easy, some foreign cars do not have powerful generators, so it is very difficult to do!
But many craftsmen install them in the garage on their cars, the increase in power can really be achieved up to 20 - 30%.
Moreover, many put an additional air consumption sensor in the pipe in front of the turbine, it “sees” the pumped volume and automatically regulates a large fuel supply (supplies values to the ECU), for enrichment fuel mixture. So the firmware may not be needed.
To summarize, it turns out - an electric turbine for a car, it is possible, I will even say more, you can do it yourself, but not everything is so simple and often "the game is not worth the candle." After all, you need to remake not only electrical system car, but also the fuel supply system, may be needed.
I think it was interesting, sincerely your AUTOBLOGGER.
Mechanical supercharging is one way to increase engine power. The main element of such a system is a mechanical supercharger (Supercharger or compressor). It is a compressor driven by the rotation of the crankshaft. Installation mechanical supercharger provides an increase in engine power up to 50%. Supercharger draws air through air filter, compresses and then sends it to the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine, which contributes to an increase in the power of the latter.
The design and principle of operation of mechanical pressurization
IN modern automotive industry several types of mechanical pressurization systems are used, each of which has its own design features and the principle of air injection.
Mechanical pressurization device
The mechanical pressurization system consists of the following elements:
- mechanical supercharger (compressor);
- intercooler;
- throttle valve;
- bypass pipeline damper;
- air filter;
- boost pressure sensors;
- intake manifold air temperature sensors.
The mechanical supercharger is controlled by a throttle valve, which is open at high speeds. At the same time, the valve of the pipeline is closed, and all the air enters the intake manifold of the engine. When the engine is running low revs, the throttle valve is open at a slight angle, and the pipeline valve is fully open, which ensures that part of the air is returned to the compressor inlet.
The intake air from the supercharger passes through the intercooler, which lowers the charge air temperature by approximately 10°C, contributing to a more high degree its compression.
Types of mechanical pressurization drive
Belt drive cam compressor The transmission of torque from the crankshaft to the mechanical compressor can be different ways:
- Direct drive system - involves mounting the compressor directly on the engine crankshaft flange.
- Belt drive. The transmission of forces is realized by means of a belt. Various manufacturers use their own types of belts (flat, wedge-shaped or toothed). Belt systems are characterized by a short service life and the possibility of slippage.
- chain drive. It has a similar principle to a belt drive.
- Gear drive. The disadvantage of such a system is increased noise and large dimensions.
Types of mechanical compressors
Centrifugal compressor Each type of boost drive has its own operational features. In total, there are three types of mechanical superchargers:
- Centrifugal blower. The most common type of mechanical blowers. The main working element of the system is the wheel (impeller), which has a similar design to the turbine compressor wheel. It rotates at a speed of about 60,000 revolutions per minute. At the same time, air is sucked into central part compressor wheel in high speed and low pressure mode. After passing through the supercharger blades, air is supplied to the intake manifold, but already at low speed and high pressure. This type of supercharger is used in combination with turbochargers to eliminate turbo lag.
- Screw blower. It is a system of two rotating screws (screws) of a conical shape. Air, getting into the wider part, passes through the compressor chambers and, due to rotation, is compressed and forced into the nozzle intake manifold. Such systems are mainly used in sports and expensive cars because they are quite difficult to manufacture. Their advantage is high efficiency work.
- Cam supercharger (roots). One of the first types of mechanical superchargers. Structurally, it consists of two rotors with a complex section profile. The axes of rotation of the rotors are connected by two identical gears. When the system rotates, air moves between the walls of the housing and the cams, as a result of which it is forced into the intake pipe. The disadvantage of this system is the formation of excess pressure, which provokes malfunctions in the operation of boost. To eliminate this phenomenon, the design of the cam supercharger provides either a clutch with electric drive(supercharger cut-off control), or bypass valve(without turning off the blower).
screw supercharger Mechanical superchargers are quite often used on Cadillac, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota cars. At the same time, cam and screw compressors are installed mainly on powerful sports cars With gasoline engines, and centrifugal are included in the dual turbocharging system for diesel engines.
Advantages and disadvantages of a circuit with a mechanical supercharger
Compared to a turbocharger mechanical system supercharging is not driven by the exhaust gases of the engine, but due to the rotation of the crankshaft. This means that, on the one hand, the motor power increases, and on the other hand, an additional load arises, which, depending on the type of compressor, takes up to 30% of the engine performance. Another disadvantage of the system is high level the noise that the drive system creates.
The use of mechanical boost at high speeds provokes more rapid wear engine parts, and therefore they must be made of high-strength materials.
The main advantage of a mechanical drive is low cost manufacturing (compared to turbocharging), ease of installation, as well as an instantaneous response of the system to an increase in engine speed. So systems with screw and cam compressors provide high acceleration dynamics, and centrifugal blowers stable work engine at high speeds.
What is turbocharging is known to those who like to cram one part into another, that is, we are with you. More recently, electric versions of the turbine and supercharger have appeared with mechanical drive(or supercharger). What are the electric versions of these compressors and how do they work?
Before we get into the discussion, let's brush up on our knowledge of how turbos and superchargers work. In essence, both of these devices increase the density of the air-fuel mixture that enters the internal combustion engine, where the mixture is compressed and ignited. The higher the density of the air-fuel mixture, the more powerful the piston stroke and engine operation will be, even without increasing the physical volume of the engine cylinders.
That is why small engines turbocharged are more powerful than their larger counterparts: the engine receives more power from each stroke of the piston. How can this density be increased? By compressing the incoming air with a blower. If the supercharger is belt-driven, it is a mechanically driven supercharger. If from a turbine that extracts energy from the exhaust gas stream, then this is.
The disadvantage of a turbocharger is that the engine needs some time to produce enough exhaust gases. This annoying hitch is called turbo lag. The supercharger does not have such a delay, but the engine also needs time to spin the turbine, which affects its efficiency.
It can be assumed that if an “electrical” function was added to these systems, then these disadvantages would no longer exist. And it will be true.
In fact, I want to talk about three mechanisms: electric mechanical supercharging, electric turbocharging, and that nonsense that is sold on the Internet. We immediately get rid of what is offered on the Internet. And what exactly they offer, for example, on eBay can be viewed at the link.
I must say right away that this is not an option to make your PT Cruiser even more powerful. This is a way to attach a useless exhaust pump or fan from a computer to an air intake for some unknown purpose. You still won't see any changes. All this stuff that connects to your 12 volt electrical system to run the "compressor" is complete rubbish.
IN best case, these marvels of technology will be connected to the generator to start a useless fan, which still does not have enough power for normal compression. On the contrary, you will most likely lose some power due to the limited flow of forced air. As the saying goes, don't be fooled.
So, real electric mechanical superchargers still exist and, in fact, they are the same superchargers as those to which we are accustomed. They also spin up the compressor to increase air density, but instead of being belt driven, they are powered by an electric motor.
But the electric motor isn't the same 12-volt dummy on eBay. This will require at least a 48-volt system. Air compression consumes a lot of energy, so it is difficult to develop electrical systems.
Most batteries and traditional electrical systems in cars simply can't deliver that much power fast enough to power an electric supercharger. For this reason, electrical superchargers usually come with supercapacitors. large capacity, which can store energy and then release electrical energy very quickly. Such capacitors can also be recharged, as electrical and hybrid cars on the principle of regenerative braking.
For example, Mazda already uses a supercapacitor in its i-eLoop system. And while it's not an electric supercharger, it's still a fairly large capacitor that's already being made and installed in cars. This gives us hope that this technology will soon become ubiquitous.
Electric turbos are confusing and make us think they are different from electric superchargers. In fact, there is not much from electric turbocharging in them. They are simply small electric superchargers connected to a conventional exhaust gas turbocharger.
Even by definition, a turbocharger draws its energy from exhaust gases, so the beloved term "electric turbocharger" simply doesn't make any sense.
By by and large, the main task electric turbocharger- get rid of the turbo lag and help the conventional turbocharger until the engine speed reaches the point where the turbine is at its most efficient. To do this, an electric one (which can be located in the same place as a conventional turbocharger or separately, but powered by the same impeller) spins the compressor at the start and at low speeds, and when the volume of exhaust gases is sufficient, it transfers work to a conventional turbocharger.
The operation of the engine is based on the fact that the fuel must be mixed with necessary quantity oxygen. This will achieve maximum possible power. Let's talk about mechanical air blowers for a car.
Centrifugal blowers
Similar superchargers in tuning received most widespread. In their design, they are closest to turbocharging, since they have the same principle of air injection. Only the ways of driving differ. The work is carried out as follows.The principle of operation of a centrifugal blower is as follows: air, passing through the air channel into the blower, enters the impeller blades. The blades twist and throw it away centrifugal force to the periphery of the casing, where there is a diffuser. Next, the air is pushed into the circumferential air tunnel (air collector), which has a snail shape.
This design creates required pressure air flow at the outlet of the blower. The fact is that inside the ring the air at first moves quickly, and its pressure is low. But at the end of the cochlea, the channel expands, the air flow speed decreases, and the pressure increases. This creates the necessary support for pumping the engine cylinders.
The centrifugal supercharger has a drawback. For efficient operation, the impeller must rotate not just quickly, but very quickly. actually produced centrifugal compressor pressure is proportional to the square of the impeller speed. Speeds can be 40 thousand rpm or more. And since the drive is from the crankshaft through a belt drive to the turbine pulley, the noise from such a device is strong. Although many people like this characteristic whistle.
The disadvantages include some delay in operation, although it should be noted that this delay is not as noticeable as with turbochargers.
And another note. As a rule, a centrifugal supercharger gives an increase at high engine speeds. At first, the pressure increases slowly, but then, with increasing speed, it increases quite sharply. This feature makes centrifugal blowers most suitable for applications where maintenance is more important. high speeds, not the acceleration rate.
Centrifugal blowers for cars are very popular. Relatively low price and ease of installation have contributed to the fact that compressors of this type have almost supplanted others and have become popular in car tuning.
ROOTS air blowers
Compressors of the "Roots" type belong to the class of volumetric superchargers. Their design is quite simple and resembles an engine oil gear pump. In an oval-shaped case, two rotors with a special profile rotate in opposite directions. The rotors are mounted on axles connected by identical gears.
The main difference between this injection method is that the air is compressed not inside, but, as it were, outside the compressor, directly in the discharge pipeline. That is why they are sometimes referred to as external compression compressors.
The main disadvantage of this injection method is that, since the air compression process is carried out outside the compressor, it effective work only possible up to certain boost values. As the pressure increases, the air seepage back increases, and its efficiency decreases. Further, the power expended on the rotation of the supercharger itself may exceed the additional power of the engine.
Another disadvantage. In compressors of this type, turbulence is created, which contributes to an increase in the temperature of the air charge. That is, along with the usual increase in temperature from a direct increase in pressure, additional heating occurs in the roots compressors. In this regard, such superchargers in without fail fitted with intercoolers.
The noise from the operation of volumetric compressors is not as strong as that of centrifugal compressors, and has a different tone. At the same time, unlike centrifugal ones, ROOTS-type mechanical superchargers are effective already at low and medium engine speeds. This feature of roots compressors has made them most suitable for drag racing, where acceleration dynamics are valued. Another plus is the relative simplicity of the design.
A small number of moving parts and low rotational speeds make these mechanical superchargers one of the most reliable and durable. But the complexity and high price reduced their popularity.
Advantages and disadvantages
The use of air blowers for cars can adversely affect engine life. As a rule, engine failure is caused increased speed. Therefore, the use of a supercharger that increases torque at low and medium speeds can, on the contrary, have a beneficial effect on the engine resource.On the other hand, if you want to achieve a really big increase in power, many standard parts will have to be replaced with more durable ones. So, for example, forged pistons and connecting rods will be quite useful.
The compression of air is always associated with an increase in temperature. In some compressors, this increase is not significant, but in any case, to increase the air charge and reduce the power loss to the blower drive, the air must be cooled.
Another problem is detonation. The fact is that heat and the pressure of the air supplied to the cylinders can lead to the fact that at the end of the compression stroke, when the piston compresses the already compressed fuel-air mixture, its temperature and pressure may be so high that it will cause its premature detonation, i.e., an explosion.
In order to avoid such problems, you can switch to high-octane fuel grades, but often this is not enough. At sufficiently high pressure values, it is necessary to decompress, i.e., reduce the compression ratio. Correct selection spark plugs are also important.
