Who invented turbocharging

Milestones A lot of new breakthrough technologies followed in the years after. In , MHI was the first supplier to apply an integrated bypass valve. And in , MHI developed turbochargers that could withstand much higher temperatures by making austenitic stainless turbine housing. However, an even more important technology was introduced three years later with the invention of the twin scroll turbine housing. By keeping the exhaust gas from each cylinder separated, the twin scroll could utilize the energy from the exhaust gas much more efficiently.

This was a great step towards further reducing turbo lag. TiAl has a lower density compared to conventional turbine wheel material, which makes the wheel spin much easier. In , MHI supplied the first austenitic stainless integrated manifold, which improved the flow and packaging significantly. And in , MHI supplied the first magnesium compressor wheel, which was a lot lighter than the conventional material.

Another great step forward for turbochargers was the introduction of the VG variable geometry turbo. The first passenger car fitted with a VG turbo — the Japanese Honda Legend — came on the market in [3]. At the time this technology was still limited and it took some years before it would catch on. The VG turbo had clear advantages in that it was able to act like both a small and large turbocharger due to the rotating vane system in the turbine inlet.

Because of this, the VG turbo could make a narrow throat area when taking off, thus reducing turbo lag and at the same time offering a high flow capacity at maximum power operation. MHI began developing VG turbochargers in for truck applications and started mass production in Applying two turbochargers to an engine has been a popular trend for maximizing power while reducing turbo lag.

Maserati was the first to use this setup already in and Bugatti even used a set-up with four sequential turbochargers on a W16 engine. The two-stage concept is usually set-up so that the smaller turbocharger is used for lower engine speeds and the larger one is used for higher engine speeds whereas the bi-turbo concept is usually two identically sized turbochargers.

This engine became very successful and won several awards. The future of turbocharging The history of the turbocharger is far from over. The high demands for emission reduction and electrification paves the way for new technologies. The next chapter in the history of turbocharging will entail various types of electric boosting in 48V hybrids, a growing market in VG for gasoline vehicles, lighter and more heat-resistant materials and components, among many other new features.

Furthermore, while the European market is close to being mature, there will be a massive growth in turbocharger demand in other parts of the world where emission legislation is catching up fast.

MTEE is proud to be part of this history and we look forward to seeing what the future will bring. Home — Blog — A history of turbocharging. A history of turbocharging. The future looks VG. How do you optimize the fuel Already think you are an expert? This was the real beginning of applied turbocharging, and in , General Electric fitted a turbocharged engine to a biplane for an altitude test.

Before then, planes had been significantly limited in terms of their altitude, because air pressure reduces the higher you go. The idea of turbocharging was to compensate for this, and the test was a success, enabling the plane to fly to an altitude of over 30, feet. This started a huge boom in turbocharging, and by the mid s, they were in widespread use across the aviation industry, as turbos also started to appear on engines for ships and trains for the first time.

Throughout the s, turbocharging technology was developed and refined further, which led to turbos being utilised more and more on heavy commercial vehicles like excavators, bulldozers and earthmovers. In , the first turbocharged passenger vehicle was launched — the Oldsmobile Jetfire V8, which was fitted with a Garrett-AiResearch T5 turbo.

This was quickly followed by its first competitor, the Chevrolet Corvair Monza. Unfortunately, both vehicles featured overly complicated turbocharging systems and were hugely unreliable.

In fact, Oldsmobile ended up offering a heavily subsidised programme to its customers where it would replace the turbocharged engine with a naturally aspirated one!

Whilst neither vehicle was a commercial success, due to widespread problems with reliability and lacklustre performance, these pioneering vehicles paved the way for the automotive turbochargers we see today. With experienced, highly-trained team members, we can deliver a full range of high quality, competitively priced repairs, replacements and turbo sales, and offer bespoke advice and tailored support for all your turbo needs.

Get in touch today on , or email info aet-turbos. A LaPere bi-plane fitted with a cylinder Liberty engine. It managed to get up to 33, feet without any loss of boost. The tests were repeated over the next year with the highest recorded altitude of 40, feet. Turbocharging was about to take over the aviation industry. By the mids turbocharged diesel engines also started appearing on ships and locomotives. The turbo design and manufacturing technology advanced rapidly.

During the Second World War, numerous fighter and bomber planes were fitted with turbochargers. In short, this made them faster and more efficient. Without turbo technology, the B bomber would require 90 cylinders in each of its six engines. With turbocharging, that number was cut down to One of the biggest names in the turbo world — the Garrett Corporation was formed in by J.

Their first product was a charged air cooler for the B bomber. The newly formed turbocharger group would later be name Garrett Automotive. They were launched in and suffered from reliability issues, and were quickly withdrawn from sale.

By the time the first oil crisis came in , the automotive turbocharging technology had evolved enough to make inroads within the commercial diesel market. But as the emission standards became more stringent, turbocharging grew in popularity, becoming a virtual standard in the transport industry by the late s. The s also mark the entry of turbochargers into motorsport, most notably into Formula 1. As with most automotive inventions, motorsport popularised turbocharging to the point where it became a familiar term to the general public.

The first turbocharged diesel passenger car, a Mercedes Benz SD, was introduced in It featured low emissions, greater efficiency and a driveability akin to a petrol car.