Forced induction - Definition and Overview

Forced induction is a term used to describe internal combustion engines that are not naturally aspirated. Instead, a gas compressor is added to the air intake, thereby increasing the quantity of air or fuel-air mixture available for combustion.

Forced induction can be used to increase the power of an engine, its efficiency, or both, without much extra weight. Pressurising the intake of combustion ingredients increases the effective capacity of the engine without an increase in physical size. The forced induction approach has the advantage that the intake pressure may be regulated according to the engine speed, thus providing power from extra capacity at high speed, but without wasting fuel at lower speeds.

The two different forced induction technologies in common use are superchargers and turbochargers. They differ mainly in the power source for the compressor.

Example Usage of induction