Latausilmanjäähdyttimet

Latausilmanjäähdyttimet, or intercoolers in English, are devices used in internal combustion engines to cool the compressed air from a turbocharger or supercharger before it enters the engine cylinders. Turbochargers and superchargers compress the intake air to increase the amount of oxygen available for combustion, leading to more power. However, this compression process also heats the air significantly. Hot air is less dense than cool air, meaning it contains less oxygen per unit volume. This reduces the potential performance gains from forced induction.

An intercooler functions like a heat exchanger. The hot, compressed air from the turbocharger or supercharger passes through the intercooler, where it is cooled by ambient air or a liquid coolant. This cooling reduces the air's temperature, making it denser. Denser air entering the cylinders allows for more fuel to be burned efficiently, resulting in increased horsepower and torque. Intercoolers can be air-to-air or air-to-water. Air-to-air intercoolers use the surrounding airflow to dissipate heat, while air-to-water intercoolers use a separate liquid cooling circuit. Properly functioning intercoolers are crucial for maximizing the performance and efficiency of turbocharged and supercharged engines.