Search Results

In 1917, French Prof. Rateau built and operated the first turbocharger. He used an axial turbine because of existing experience from the steam turbine to drive a centrifugal compressor. From then on the axial turbine was improved regarding temperature capability and performance and is still the first choice for larger turbochargers today. From the beginning, multi-entry turbines, as discussed in the patent of Büchi in 1925, were applied to make use of the pulse effect and, thus, to improve the engine performance at low speed and during transient operation. Between 1936 and 1945, the radial turbine for gaseous substances was proposed and finally implemented for smaller units, mainly because of lower complexity and cost. From the beginning, variable nozzle turbines were designed and built but without entering mass production. Up until 1963, multi entry turbine housings for radial turbines, like the axial turbine variants, were solely segment controlled.