Supercharger Operation
The supercharger is a positive displacement pump. Its purpose is to increase air pressure and density in the intake manifold. The supercharger is matched to the engine by its displacement and belt ratio (driven from the crankshaft).
The concentrated charge of air provided by the supercharger results in a more powerful combustion stroke in the engine's cylinders, resulting in improved performance over non-supercharged engines.
The supercharger incorporates a specially designed bypass valve. This is actuated by a vacuum pipe near the throttle body and re-circulates the supercharger air when boost is not required.
During typical driving conditions the intake manifold is under pressure for only 5% of the time.
For the remaining time the intake manifold is under vacuum (negative pressure), allowing for better fuel economy and a quieter ride.
Inside the supercharger the helix angled rotors and specially designed inlet and outlet port geometry reduce pressure variations. This results in a smooth discharge flow and a lower level of noise during operation. The way in which the ducting to and from the supercharger is mounted also plays a major role in reducing noise.