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Electric superchargers ready for production
April 2 2008
Author: SC
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Current hybrid technology uses electrical energy stored in a battery to power an electric motor connected to an internal combustion to drive a car’s wheels, but there are other ways of harnessing electrical energy to help save fuel. Engineers are now developing a new system where electrical energy can be used to drive a supercharger to help aid the car’s engine during high-load conditions and thus conserve fuel.
Conventional superchargers are powered by a belt connected to the car’s engine. As more power is dialed up, the supercharger draws more and more power away from the engine and in turn burns more fuel.
UK firm Controlled Power Technologies (CPT) is now testing an electric supercharging system developed for small fuel-efficient engines being progressively introduced by carmakers to reduce vehicle CO2 emissions. Dubbed Variable Torque Enhancement System (VTES), the new system is ready for mass production and can be applied to all types of petrol and diesel engines including those already turbocharged.
Initial testing has shown that a 1.2L engine with an electric supercharger can provide the performance of a 2.0L motor, with typically a 40% improvement in acceleration times over a non-forced induction motor of the same size. For diesel engines, a near instant air supply enables delivery of high torque with minimal particulate emissions, helping to keep CO2 emissions low.
CPT has signed a deal with Switched Reluctance Drives Limited to start developing OEM units that will eventually appear in production cars. No release date has been given but given the desperation in the auto industry for cleaner and more fuel efficient cars the wait shouldn’t be long. |
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