A new electrically-controlled supercharger can deliver a claimed reduction in CO2 emissions of over 18% while retaining the performance and driving feel of a large conventional engine, even at low engine speeds, according to its UK-based developers Integral Powertrain and DriveTec.
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The two companies said in a statement that the introduction of downsized and boosted engines is expected to provide a major contribution to the reduction of CO2 emissions in future generations of passenger vehicles, but the challenge of giving downsized engines the driveability characteristics demanded by consumers has so far delayed their adoption by volume car makers.
The suggested solution is their new supercharger that combines proven technologies in a compact unit said to solve many of the driveability problems traditionally afflicting downsized designs.
The system, called SuperGen, is a variable-speed electrically controlled supercharger design that takes most of its power from a physical link to the vehicle’s engine. Electrical energy from the vehicle generator is used to power a gearing system that can accurately vary the speed of the turbo compressor from zero up to 150 times crank speed.
By removing the link between engine and compressor speed, the supercharger allows the successful use of centrifugal compressors, delivering much reduced parasitic losses and improved boosting efficiency compared to conventional supercharging systems. The result allows the use of a much smaller spark ignition engine that can deliver fuel economy and CO2 performance approaching today’s high performance diesels, in a lower cost package and with better driveability.
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By GlobalDataThe key to the new concept is the combination of a patented epicyclic traction transmission and electric gear ratio control. Used to vary the speed of the compressor, the transmission allows the compressor to spin at up to 225,000rpm. Speed control in the is provided by a small electric motor, which imparts extra motion to the planet hubs of the epicyclic transmission. This approach requires few special components and provides a highly efficient mechanical link between engine and compressor.
The supercharger can deliver strong boost at all engine speeds with transient response being as quick as the vehicle driveline can normally handle. The compressor shaft can be accelerated from rest to 150,000rpm in less than 300 milliseconds. This delivers genuine ‘big engine feel’ and permits the use of taller gearing while delivering noticeable driver performance improvements.
The device is suitable as the only source of boosting in downsized engines of up to 200hp capacity. It is possible to integrate a starter/generator into the device, allowing the engine to be shut off entirely when the vehicle is stationary, delivering further improvements in fuel economy and CO2 performance.
