Performance and Power Augmentation

Superchargers and Turbochargers

To increase engine power for take-off and initial climb, and/or
to maintain engine power at high altitude, the manifold pressure
must be raised artificially, and this is done by supercharging.

Ground Boosted supercharger

Where a supercharger is used to increase sea level power, rather
than to maintain normal power up to a high altitude, the engine
will need to be strengthened in order to resist the higher
combustion pressure. This is called a Ground Boosted
Supercharger.
Altitude boosted supercharger
For superchargers capable of maintaining sea level values of
power up to high altitude, a control system is necessary to
prevent excessive pressure being generated within the
engine at low altitude. These are called Altitude Boosted
Superchargers.
Centrifugal Compressors are used in superchargers on aircraft
engines and may be driven by either internal or external
means, in some installations a combination of both may be
used.
a) Externally driven superchargers, known as
turbosuperchargers or turbochargers, are driven by a turbine
which is rotated by the exhaust gases and compress the air.
b) Internally driven superchargers are driven by gearing from the
engine crankshaft and compress the mixture.
Centrifugal compressor
Why Centrifugal compressor is
used?
Comparatively light, are able to
run at high speed
Handle large quantities of air
Robust and reliable

Construction
A centrifugal compressor is made up of two components:-
Impeller which is rotated and accelerates the air
Diffuser which collects and directs the air into the manifold.

Working
Air is drawn into the impeller as it is rotated.
Air is accelerated as it flows outwards between the vanes
(converting mechanical energy into kinetic energy)
As the cross-section of its path increases, some of this energy is
converted into pressure energy.
Proportion of pressure gained in the impeller depends on the
impeller’s diameter, speed of rotation and the shape of the
vanes.
The air leaves the impeller with considerable tangential and
radial velocity and passes into the diffuser, which consists of a
number of vanes fixed between the walls of the supercharger
casing.
The diffuser vanes form divergent passages, which decrease
the velocity and increase the pressure of the air passing
through them.
Manifold Pressure
Any engine with a supercharger will also be equipped with a
variable pitch propeller controlled by a constant speed unit.
The rpm of the engine is therefore controlled by the propeller
pitch lever.
To properly set the power and prevent the engine being
overboosted the pilot must have an indication of the amount of
pressure he/she is allowing into the cylinder with the throttle.
This is known as manifold pressure (between the throttle valve
and the inlet valve) and is indicated to the pilot on one of two
gauges:
1. Boost Pressure
The pressure in the induction
system relative to sea level
standard pressure is called
boost pressure, and is indicated
by a gauge in the cockpit.
The gauge is calibrated in
pounds per square inch.
2. Manifold Absolute Pressure
American practice is to use the term Manifold Absolute Pressure
(MAP) for measuring the pressure in the induction system. The
manifold gauge indicates the absolute pressure in inches of
mercury (Hg).

Externally Driven Superchargers (Turbochargers)

 Externally driven
superchargers are
powered by the energy
of the engine exhaust
gases and are generally
known as
turbosuperchargers or
turbochargers.
A turbocharger
consists of a turbine wheel and an impeller fitted on a common
rotor shaft
The turbine is connected to the exhaust system and the
compressor is connected to the intake system.
Exhaust gases pass through nozzles and are guided onto vanes
on the turbine wheel, causing it to rotate, the gases then pass
between the vanes and are exhausted overboard.
The more exhaust gases that are diverted over the turbine the
faster it will go and therefore the faster the impeller will go and
the greater will be the pressure ratio of the compressor.

The Wastegate
Since the density of air decreases with altitude, the impeller
rotates faster as the aircraft climbs to compensate for the
reduction in density and maintain a selected manifold pressure.
Some form of control over compressor output must be provided,
and this is done by varying the quantity of exhaust gas passing
to the turbine to vary its speed and that of the compressor.
 A turbine bypass, in the form of an alternative exhaust duct, is
fitted with a valve (known as a wastegate) which regulates the
degree of opening through the bypass.
When the wastegate is fully open nearly all the exhaust gases
pass directly to atmosphere,
As the wastegate closes gases are directed to the turbine, and
the maximum rotor speed is achieved when the wastegate is
fully closed, this will happen at what is termed the critical
altitude for that engine and that turbocharger (the height
above which maximum boost or manifold pressure can no
longer be maintained) .
The wastegate may be controlled manually by the pilot, but in
most turbocharger systems automatic controls are fitted to
prevent overboosting the engine.

The Absolute Pressure Controller

Some simple
turbocharger
systems use a
single controller,
called an Absolute
Pressure
Controller (APC),
which is designed
to prevent
compressor outlet
pressure from exceeding a specified maximum,
At low power settings full oil pressure is applied to the
wastegate actuator, which closes the wastegate and diverts all
exhaust gases through the turbine to maintain the compressor
outlet pressure at the designed value.
 The oil which is used to move the piston in the wastegate is
taken directly from the engine lubrication system, this oil is also
used to cool and lubricate the turbocharger bearings.

Internally Driven Superchargers

Used on medium and high
powered piston engines
(approximately 250 BHP and
above)
Fitted downstream of the
throttle valve.
Some high powered
superchargers have also been
fitted with two impellers working in series in order to raise the
overall compression ratio.
But current engines generally employ a single impeller driven at
a fixed speed ratio to the crankshaft (usually between 6:1 and
12:1).

Automatic Boost Control

At low altitudes where the air is more dense, the supercharger
produces too much pressure, consequently, to avoid severe
detonation and mechanical stresses due to excessively high
combustion pressure, the delivery pressure must be restricted by
only partially opening the throttle valve.
As the aircraft climbs, the throttle valve must be
progressively opened further to maintain a constant boost
pressure.
To relieve the pilot of the responsibility of constantly varying
the position of the throttle lever during climb or descent, the
boost pressure is kept constant automatically by the Automatic
 Boost Control unit (ABC) which is generally attached to the
carburettor.

Rated Altitude & Rated power

Rated Power or Maximum Continuous Power (MCP) is the
maximum power at which continuous operation is permitted.
Take-off Power, and sometimes Climb Power, may have a time
limitation imposed upon their use.
At Rated rpm and at Rated Boost (manifold pressure), the height
achieved is known as ‘Rated Altitude’ which is a full throttle height
but only when Rated rpm and Rated Boost are set (rated power).

Static Boost
The gauge reading at this point, i.e. before engine start, is known as
Static Boost

Questions
1. The Manifold Pressure Gauge fitted to a supercharged engine
measures:
 a. the absolute pressure in the induction manifold **
b. the differential pressure across the supercharger compressor
c. the ratio between the atmospheric pressure and the cam rise at
the supercharger inlet
d. the pressure upstream of the throttle valve
2. An Automatic Boost Control Unit:
a. prevents detonation and dissociation in the cylinder
b. maintains an automatic preset boost pressure **
c. maintains the correct mixture strength for the boost pressure
set
d. sets the position of the wastegate to ensure the preset boost is
maintained
3. The use of a turbocharger on an engine will:
a. improve the exhaust scavenging efficiency
b. raise the volumetric efficiency of the engine **
c. cause an automatic rise in the engine rpm as altitude is gained
d. cause an automatic rise in engine power as altitude is gained
4. The motive force used to drive the turbocharger is:
a. torque from the crankshaft via a spring drive unit
b. torque from the accessory gearbox
c. energy from the exhaust that would otherwise have been
wasted **
d. energy from the reduction gearbox
5. The power increase that occurs with initial increase in altitude
when an engine has an internal supercharger fitted, is due to:
a. the reduced weight of mixture being passed to the engine
b. the decreasing density of the atmosphere
c. the reducing exhausts back pressure **
d. the increasing charge temperature
6. Rated Altitude is:
a. the height at which the boost pressure ceases to be effective
with a specific rpm set
b. a comparison between the boost pressure at sea level and that
at a given altitude
c. the maximum altitude at which Rated Boost can be
maintained with Rated rpm set **
d. the altitude at which the wastegate becomes fully shut
7. The speed of the turbine of a turbocharger is controlled by:
a. the diversion of exhaust gases **
b. controlling the exit of the exhaust gas passing out of the eye
of the impeller
c. the use of a variable controller
d. an automatic gearbox positioned between the turbine and the
impeller
8. The turbocharger wastegate is spring loaded towards:
a. the open position **
b. the closed position
c. a neutrally balanced partly open position
d. the maximum boost position
9. The turbocharger bearing is lubricated and cooled by:
a. its own internal self-contained oil system
b. the engine oil **
c. a total loss system
d. a tapping in the scavenge oil system
10. Static Boost is:
a. always the ISA atmospheric pressure for the airfield altitude
b. obtained by opening the throttle to give a boost gauge reading
of 30 in Hg or 0 psi.
c. the boost pressure gauge reading when the engine is not
running. Selecting a suitable throttle position will give the same
boost gauge reading when the engine is running **
d. the difference between the induction manifold pressure and
the exhaust manifold pressure
11. The automatic boost pressure control capsules are made
sensitive to:
a. atmospheric pressure
b. carburettor inlet pressure
c. boost pressure **
d. cabin pressure differential
12. In order to maintain a constant boost pressure with increasing
altitude, the ABC:
a. holds the throttle valve at a constant position
b. progressively opens the throttle valve **
 c. progressively closes the wastegate
d. progressively closes the throttle valve
13. “Boost pressure” is the:
a. inlet manifold pressure in pounds per square inch above or
below standard mean sea level pressure **
b. absolute pressure in the inlet manifold measured in inches of
mercury
c. absolute pressure in the inlet manifold measured in millibars
d. inlet manifold pressure in pounds per square inch above or
below atmospheric pressure
14. “Full Throttle Height” is:
a. the height at which the engine is at Rated Boost
b. the maximum height at which a specified boost can be
maintained at a specified rpm **
c. the height at which the wastegate is fully closed
d. the cruising height for any specific boost
15. The purpose of an intercooler is:
a. to minimize the risk of detonation **
b. to increase the volume of the charge
c. to decrease the density of the charge
d. to prevent overheating of the exhaust manifold
16. The function of a diffuser in a supercharger is:
a. to decrease the temperature and increase the velocity of the
charge
b. to increase the velocity and decrease the pressure of the
charge
c. to decrease the velocity and decrease the pressure of the
charge
d. to decrease the velocity and increase the pressure of the
charge **
17. Air enters the compressor of a turbosupercharger:
a. at the tip and passes across the impeller blades to exit at the
eye
b. at the diffuser and exits at the impeller
c. at the eye and passes across the diffuser blades before exiting
at the impeller tip
 d. at the eye and passes across the impeller blades to exit at the
tip **
18. The wastegate of a turbosupercharger is fitted:
a. in the turbine bypass **
b. in the inlet manifold
c. to maximize exhaust back pressure
d. in series with the turbine
19. The wastegate is operated by:
a. the automatic boost control unit
b. the wastegate actuator **
c. inlet manifold pressure
d. exhaust gas temperature
20. With a turbocharger installed on the engine, its exhaust back
pressure:
a. remains the same
b. is decreased
c. is increased **
d. decreases in the climb
21. A high performance supercharger may require an intercooler
to be placed:
a. between the supercharger and the inlet valve **
b. at the carburettor intake
c. between each cylinder
d. between the engine block and the exhaust manifold
22. With an increase of compressor discharge pressure the fuel
flow will:
a. increase **
b. remain constant
c. decrease
d. increase, but only in proportion to altitude increase
23. A turbocharger’s rotational speed is determined by:
a. the diversion of exhaust gas **
b. the position of the throttle valve
c. the density of the air at the compressor intake
d. bleeding off excess exhaust pressure
24. During take-off from a sea level airfield with ISA conditions,
the position of the wastegate of a turbocharged engine is:
a. fully open
b. almost fully open **
c. controlled by the throttle position
d. fully closed
25. Maximum Continuous Power (MCP) is:
a. unrestricted, but only if economical cruising power is set
b. the maximum power the engine will give at any time
c. given a 5 minute limitation
d. unrestricted **
26. The primary purpose of a supercharger is to:
a. raise the temperature of the charge entering the cylinder
b. increase the mass of the charge entering the cylinder **
c. improve the engine’s exhaust scavenging capability, and
hence increase its power output
d. allow the use of high octane fuel
27. The type of fuel used in a turbocharged engine would be:
a. AVTUR
b. AVGAS **
c. AVTAG
d. AVPIN
28. At an idle or low power condition, the turbocharger wastegate
is normally:
a. partially open
b. fully open
c. closed **
d. half open
29. When the air or the mixture passes through the diffuser
shroud, the energy conversion is from:
a. kinetic to pressure **
b. heat to potential
c. mechanical to heat
d. potential to kinetic
30. The construction of a turbocharger ensures that the turbine
and the compressor:
 a. are on the same shaft **
b. are on different shafts
c. are connected by mechanical gearing
d. are controlled by the ABC
31. The wastegate fitted to a turbocharger regulates the quantity
of:
a. the mixture that enters the induction manifold
b. the atmosphere that can enter the compressor
c. the exhaust gas that will bypass the turbine **
d. the exhaust gas that leaves the compressor
32. The main function of a supercharger is to:
a. increase the thermal efficiency of the engine
b. increase the compression ratio of the engine
c. maintain sea level pressure in the engine to above rated
altitude
d. increase the volumetric efficiency of the engine **
33. The response of a turbocharged engine to rapid throttle
opening, when compared to a normally aspirated engine:
a. is initially better, but exhaust back pressure will cause a flat
spot
b. is always better
c. is worse **
d. is identical
34. With a constant manifold pressure set during the climb, the
power output from an internally supercharged engine:
a. decreases
b. increases **
c. remains constant
d. is unaffected by altitude change
35. An internal supercharger is one which:
a. is driven by exhaust gases
b. compresses the air
c. compresses the exhaust gases
d. compresses the mixture **
36. If the wastegate of a turbocharged engine seizes in the climb
before critical altitude has been reached:
a. engine power will be automatically adjusted by the ABC
 b. engine power will rise by approximately 10%
c. reducing back pressure will compensate for any loss in power
d. engine power will fall as the climb continues **
37. To prevent large acceleration loads on the compressor and the
drive shaft of an internal supercharger, it is usual to:
a. prohibit “slam” acceleration
b. incorporate a spring drive mechanism in the driving gears **
c. rely on the inertia absorbing qualities of the exhaust gases
d. use a Vernier drive coupling
38. The rotational speed of the turbocharger of an engine which is
at full throttle at low altitude is:
a. between minimum and maximum **
b. maximum
c. controlled by the ABC
d. minimum
39. Maintaining a constant manifold pressure in a turbocharged
engine during the climb will cause:
a. the exhaust gas temperature to decrease due to a decrease in
exhaust back pressure
b. the wastegate to open
c. the wastegate to progressively close **
d. the diffuser rotational speed to increase
40. Overboosting an engine fitted with a turbocharger is
prevented by the installation of:
a. an automatic boost control unit
b. a manifold pressure gauge **
c. a wastegate pressure controller
d. a suck in flap
41. A turbocharger which is designed to maintain sea level
pressure at altitude is termed:
a. an altitude-boosted turbocharger **
b. a turbosupercharger
c. an internal supercharger
d. a ground boosted turbocharger
42. With the power lever opened for take-off power at sea level,
the throttle butterfly of an engine fitted with an internal
supercharger would be:
a. fully open
b. in a choked position **
c. partially open
d. fully closed
43. “Static Boost” is the manifold pressure indicated on the boost
pressure gauge when:
a. the engine is stopped **
b. the engine is running at the manufacturer’s recommended idle
speed
c. the engine is running at its rated power
d. the manifold gauge needle is opposite the lubber line
44. The limit of the amount of supercharging that an engine can
tolerate is reached when:
a. maximum rpm is reached
b. the engine is at its rated altitude
c. maximum boost pressure is obtained **
d. the engine starts to suffer from detonation
45. The rotational speed of a turbocharger is dependent upon:
a. engine rpm and wastegate position **
b. engine rpm only
c. throttle position only
d. propeller pitch and altitude
46. The inlet manifold pressure of a turbocharged engine in an
aircraft which is climbing will:
a. increase to full throttle height and then fall
b. increase to critical height and then remain constant
c. remain constant to critical altitude and then fall **
d. decrease to critical altitude and then remain constant
47. The type of compressor normally used in a supercharger is:
a. an axial compressor
b. a Rootes compressor
c. a centrifugal compressor **
d. a reciprocating thrunge compressor
48. The compressor output pressure of an internal supercharger
is:
a. the same as manifold pressure **
b. greater than the manifold pressure
c. sometimes greater, sometimes less than the manifold pressure
d. less than the manifold pressure
49. The position of the wastegate in a turbocharged engine is:
a. in the inlet manifold
b. downstream of the turbine
c. in parallel with the turbine **
d. in parallel with the compressor
50. The maximum engine brake horsepower with a specified rpm
and manifold pressure set which permits continuous safe
operation is termed:
a. maximum power
b. take-off power
c. critical power
d. rated power **
51. The compressor output of a turbocharger unit is:
a. the same as the manifold pressure
b. greater than the manifold pressure **
c. sometimes greater, sometimes less than the manifold pressure
d. less than manifold pressure
52. Within the compressor of a turbocharger:
a. the pressure increases and the temperature decreases
b. both the pressure and the temperature increase **
c. both the pressure and the temperature decrease
d. the pressure increases and the temperature remains constant
53. The type of compressor normally fitted to turbochargers and
superchargers would compress the air:
a. axially
b. co-axially
c. in the diffuser only
d. centrifugally **
54. If the wastegate of a turbocharged engine seizes during the
climb, the manifold pressure will:
 a. remain constant
b. decrease **
c. increase
d. initially increase and then decrease
55. To maintain the Rated Boost of a supercharged engine while
reducing the rpm:
a. the throttle valve must be opened **
b. the wastegate must be closed
c. the wastegate must be opened
d. the throttle valve must be closed
56. The effect of selecting Rated Boost, but less than Rated rpm
on the climb, would be that:
a. the Rated Altitude would be lower
b. the Full Throttle Height would be less **
c. the Rated Altitude would be higher
d. the Full Throttle Height would be higher
57. The Automatic Boost Control Unit operates:
a. the Boost Control Lever
b. the wastegate
c. the throttle butterfly **
d. the rpm gauge and the manifold pressure gauge
58. Boost pressure is indicated on:
a. the cylinder head temperature gauge
b. the manifold pressure gauge **
c. the fuel pressure gauge
d. the rpm gauge and the manifold pressure gauge
59. With an increase of compressor discharge pressure, the fuel
flow will:
a. decrease
b. remain constant
c. initially increase, but subsequently decrease
d. increase **
60. Superchargers are used to overcome:
a. the decrease in density due to the increase in altitude **
b. the increase in temperature due to the increase in altitude
 c. the fuel density variation that occurs with an increase in
altitude
d. the exhaust back pressure
61. The boost pressure of a turbocharged engine is controlled by:
a. adjusting the throttle position **
b. varying the speed of the turbocharger
c. the ABC
d. changing engine rpm.
62. In a supercharger, the mixture:
a. enters through the eye of the impeller and leaves at the
periphery **
b. enters at the periphery and leaves through the eye
c. enters through the turbine and leaves through the compressor
d. enters through the compressor and leaves through the turbine

Answers
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
a b b c c c a a b c c b

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
a b a d d a b c a a a b
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
d b b c a a c d c b d d

37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48
b a c b a b a c a c c a

49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
c d b b d b a b c b d a

61 62
a a