Electric supercharger is a reality!

[riptide motorsport]

BMW is going to use these on the new 1 series next year:

http://www.cpowert.com/products/vtes.htm

[OCCPete]

Interesting concept, but 350A power draw :eek: How much HP would it take to run a 500A alternator?!? I don't see how this would be preferrable efficiency wise over an engine driven SC, unless it's on a hybrid.

Pete

[Mike N]

Interesting concept, but 350A power draw :eek: How much HP would it take to run a 500A alternator?!? I don't see how this would be preferrable efficiency wise over an engine driven SC, unless it's on a hybrid.

Pete

The basic concept is to improve specific output and efficiency so you can have a smaller engine that produces the same power as the bigger engine when needed but it's still a small engine when you don't need the power. Being able to effectively decouple the compressor from the engine when it's not needed will reduce parasitic loss (drag) on the engine improving mileage. Kind of like the reasoning behind electric power steering, if you are driving on the interstate in a straight line why do you need to have the power steering pump driven by the engine? You don't it's just drawing power from the engine and turning it into heat. Not sure that this is really any more efficient than an exhaust driven turbocharger but it is probably a lot cheaper.

[Raceral]

Let me go find my link from a few years ago where I was talking about electric blowers.. Yall said I was stupid.. take it back.. take it back
http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/8080-electric-supercharger.html
:)

[riptide motorsport]

Al////what did you expect......your sa certified cool aid drinker!!!:p

[Mike N]

Al the 'fan' in that thing will never produce any appreciable boost or power increase. The impeller in the unit posted by the OP is capable of producing as much boost as a regular turbocharger assuming that the motor hooked to it has the power and rpm capability.