What exactly makes it different than a "belt-driven turbo"? Doesn't the impeller basically look like a turbo impeller? I was just perusing images dot google for a bit. Turbo definitely means exhaust gas driven, so I understand supercharger is the proper term here. Or are there just different kinds of supercharger compressors.

 

A turbo has TWO sets of impellers. One is turned by the exhaust heat. It is connected by a shaft to the OTHER impeller which forces the A/F mixture into the combustion chamber.

The Rotrex has one impeller, which is driven by the drive belt, that forces the a/F mixture into the combustion chamber.

So the BASIC answer to your question is ONE impeller vs TWO impellers. And all superchargers are driven by some system attached to the crankshaft where a turbo charger is not physically driven by any mechanical connection to the crankshaft.

 

okay that seems pretty straight forward.

lol can't sleep, major food poisoning on the weekend, sleep schedule is all messed up...