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A turbocharger is a mechanical device that acts as an air compressor or blower for piston-type internal-combustion engines. It increases the pressure of the air entering the engine's cylinders, allowing more fuel to be burned per cycle and thus increasing the engine's power output.1

A turbocharger consists of a centrifugal blower driven by exhaust gas turbines. This design allows the engine to gain increased power capacity and operate with improved fuel economy. Turbochargers are particularly useful for compensating for reduced atmospheric pressure at high altitudes, as seen in aircraft engines. They can also help restore power lost by unsupercharged engines at high altitudes. However, the increased charge density and temperature from supercharging can lead to combustion issues, potentially requiring a lower compression ratio or special fuel.231

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