Porsche 911 Turbo User Handbook Manual page 5

911 Turbo | The 911 Turbo
From a stroke of genius.
From strength to strength.
The 911 Turbo and the new 911 Turbo Cabriolet.
In 1905, the Swiss engineer,
Dr. Alfred Büchi, filed the first ever
patent for a turbocharged piston
engine. The fundamental principle,
now a century old, remains
unchanged to this day: to use the
energy latent in the engine's
exhaust to increase power and
torque.
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The exhaust-gas flow drives a achieved. The density of the air
radial turbine which in turn drives can be further increased
a compressor in the air intake by cooling it prior to combustion
tract. The rotation of the com- using a device known as an
pressor generates a higher intake 'intercooler'.
pressure which forces more air
into the engine. With more oxygen The first turbocharged engine
available, more fuel can be burnt, was built in 1910 by the firm
and a higher output can be of Murray-Willat. The concept was
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embraced by the aviation and buses. With its low output at
industry which required a means low rpm and rapid onset of power
of compensating for the lower at higher engine speeds, the
oxygen levels which reduce engine turbocharged engine was not yet
power at high altitude. suitable for use in passenger
cars. It was, however, ideal for
Up until the 1960s, the only land motor racing, where the car is
vehicles powered by turbocharged generally driven at full throttle.
engines were diesel locomotives
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911 Turbo | The 911 Turbo
Porsche was among the first to
recognise the advantages of
this technology, including higher
output from smaller engines.
This would lead to the development
of powerful new engines with
compact dimensions and low
weight.