Electric superchargers ready for production

[PanterroR]

Current hybrid technology uses electrical energy stored in a battery to power an electric motor connected to an internal combustion engine, but there are other ways of harnessing electrical energy to help save fuel. Engineers in the UK have developed a new system where electrical energy can be used to drive a supercharger and boost performance of an engine.

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.

Earlier this year British firm Controlled Power Technologies (CPT) revealed an electric supercharging system developed for small fuel-efficient engines that does away with the belt system. Dubbed the 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.

Tests undertaken by CPT show that when the new electric supercharger is applied to a radically downsized and down-speeded engine, it significantly increases the initial response, delivering more torque at low engine speeds.

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 now 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.


Source: Electric superchargers ready for production - MotorAuthority - Car news, reviews, spy shots

[Gullwing]

A supercharger that does not use a belt drive.... a turbocharger!

Sorry I don't see anything truly special about it.

I saw a few years ago a electric supercharger in a catalog. It could only produce low pressures for a short amount of time. IMO pointless.
I could see the system working better on a hybrid car since there is a lot more electic power availible. But why would you chose this over a turbo?

[Centurion]

Very clever. Makes the cars mare energy efficiency. Good to see hybrid technology finally taking off after having discussed it for 2 decades.

[bmer]

It's probably more efficient than a turbo. Any idea where it gets the electricity it needs? If it's the battery you would think it put a large load on it...

[Centurion]

Originally Posted by bmer

It's probably more efficient than a turbo. Any idea where it gets the electricity it needs?

Generator and brake regeneration.

[Gullwing]

Originally Posted by bmer

It's probably more efficient than a turbo. Any idea where it gets the electricity it needs? If it's the battery you would think it put a large load on it...

I would think both this electric supercharger and a turbo would be equally efficient or atleast close. Supercharger has more punch at lower RPM, but the added weight of the hybrid system would cost any advantage you could gain.

What would you rather have a C200CDI with a turbo or a C200hybrid with this supercharger?