Superchargers

A supercharger is a device that increases the density of air entering an internal combustion engine by compressing it. By forcing more air (and thus oxygen) into the cylinders, an engine can burn more fuel and produce more power. Unlike a turbocharger, which uses exhaust gas energy to drive the compressor, a mechanically driven supercharger is directly powered by the engine, so boost is available at low engine speeds with minimal lag.

Common architectures include positive-displacement units such as Roots-type and screw-type (Lysholm) compressors, which move a fixed volume of air with little lag, and centrifugal superchargers, which use an impeller to compress air and typically develop higher boost only at higher engine speeds. Some designs employ intercooling to reduce intake air temperature and improve density. Electric superchargers use an electric motor to spin the compressor, reducing parasitic drag and helping relieve turbo lag when paired with a turbocharger.

Advantages of superchargers include immediate throttle response and improved low-end torque, which is beneficial in performance and heavy vehicles. Disadvantages include reduced engine efficiency due to parasitic power consumption, increased heat, and added complexity. Efficiency and boost are also constrained by engine RPM and cooling capacity.

History and usage: Superchargers were developed in the early 20th century and were widely used in aviation and high-performance automobiles, with various configurations optimized for different applications. In modern cars, superchargers remain common in performance models and in engines designed for rapid mid-range power.

In popular discourse, the term "Supercharger" also refers to the network of Tesla charging stations that provide high-speed direct-current charging for electric vehicles; this is distinct from the mechanical device.