THE SUPERCHARGER.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 246, 19 July 1928, Page 7

THE SUPERCHARGER.

BECOMING POPULAR, (By Motus) Although the supercharger has long been used on small and mediumsized racing cars it is making very slow headway for tourefs. However, the .fitting will probably become more generally used as its simplicity and value are understood. The working

of the appliance : is simple enough, being brought into action merely by an extra depression of the accelerator pedal. But perhaps a brief explanation of its principles may not be amiss. In the ordinary process of a petrol engine going through its cycle the downward travel of the pistons leaves the cylinders partly empty and

causes a vacuum ; this vacuum in turn is the means of induction of the petrol and air mixture from the carburetter and inlet valves into the cylinders. But with a very high-speed engine the atmospheric pressure is rot sufficient to induce the mixture to go fast enough into the cylinders when the engine is “ all out,” and therefore the supercharger, a species

of pump, is used to force the mixture through at a greater rate. Thus a small engine with an s.c. can be made to give the power of a larger one without this extra. There will be a .greater strain on the bearings through this accession of power, and higher fuel consumption, but these disadvantages will not stop the efficiency fiend that gnaws at the vitals of most of us.