Introduction
Radial inflow turbines for turbocharging - Basic principles

In its typical use, that is, under steady-state conditions, it is convenient to define the concept of a turbomachine (from the Latin turbo, turbinis: whirlwind, spinning top). It is a rotating machine whose function is to facilitate the exchange of mechanical energy between a rotor—equipped with vanes or blades and rotating at a constant speed about an axis—and a fluid in quasi-steady flow. The fluid is guided through a housing (also called the body or stator) that connects to the inlet and outlet ports, located upstream and downstream of the housing, respectively.

A turbomachine can draw in and discharge a fluid within the same environment, but it is often positioned between two or more chambers containing the same fluid at different pressure...