World's First 2-speed blower enters series production (article & pics)

Worlds first enters series production
The world’s first two speed supercharger drive system to enter series production will be demonstrated by Antonov, the automotive technology company, at the Engine Expo exhibition at Stuttgart in Germany next week. The following week, the racing driver Peter Kox will demonstrate the technology at the Zandvoort race circuit in the Netherlands.

While this first commercial application from Antonov’s broad range of patented technologies will be demonstrated in two high performance vehicles – a Mercedes and Ford Mustang – the high volume potential for the device lies in its ability to enable engine downsizing, opening up the application of superchargers to mainstream vehicles.

Following the European events, the Mustang will be shipped to North America to feature in the Hot Rod Power Tour, which is presented by GM’s performance division.

The initial release of the device into the buoyant US tuner market exposes the first production units to a tough performance engine environment and, in many instances, aggressive track racing conditions. Commenting on this strategy Brad Shantry product development manager of Wheel-to-Wheel Powertrain, Antonov’s North American distributor said: “The forced induction market is unquestionably growing. I feel that a centrifugal supercharger with a step-up drive will quickly become the icon product of the performance industry.”

John Moore, chief executive of Antonov, said: “Our tactic of selling to the world’s largest market for tuner products is strategically important, particularly while we are in discussion with vehicle manufacturers and tier 1 suppliers interested in high volume applications. It shows OEMs that we are confident enough to launch the variable drive into the industry’s toughest marketplace to prove this is fully developed and readily available technology. We have experienced strong interest and have already supplied units to OEM clients for assessment and development trials.”

Technical Information
Antonov is a technology exploitation company originally created to develop the inventions of its founder, Roumen Antonov. It holds a broad intellectual property portfolio in mechanical power transmission. Though focused principally on technology for the automotive industry, due to the potential for high product volumes applications in other sectors are also being explored.

The Antonov Mechanical Module two speed drive enables a Rotrex centrifugal pump supercharger to be better matched to the engine. By driving the supercharger faster at low engine speeds, higher boost ratio can be obtained to provide additional low speed engine torque. As engine speed rises the unit automatically changes up to enable the supercharger to continue to operate effectively at higher engine speeds. The ability of the mechanism to operate as a passive device without the need for additional external control or hydraulics offers low cost, high efficiency and simplicity of application.

The compact Antonov drive system - essentially a tiny automatic gearbox - extends the engine torque curve delivered by a centrifugal pump supercharger. This type of supercharger is in itself more compact, less complex and less expensive than a positive displacement supercharger, but in comparison cannot offer the same torque output at low engine revs. The addition of an Antonov drive system, however, extends the engine torque curve available to exceed even the performance of a positive displacement blower. In addition, the torque curve can be tuned so that a smaller displacement engine matches exactly the performance of a much larger naturally aspirated unit.

Antonov anticipates demand for the drive system will come from carmakers needing to downsize engines in pursuit of better fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions. The trouble with smaller displacement engines is the loss of low end torque; hence the need to compensate through forced induction to restore the driveability of the vehicle and its engine performance characteristics. Many industry pundits consider the trend to smaller engines unavoidable in pursuit of improved powertrain efficiency and the ultimate market potential therefore could be as high as 100 million engines annually reflecting global vehicle production forecasts over the next 10 to 20 years.

A pure research and development company, Antonov expects to licence the technology to high volume clients either directly or through their Tier 1 suppliers. Antonov can manage the initial manufacture and supply of up to 10,000 units annually through its production supply partner Neue ZWL Zahnradwerk. However the plan is for much lower preliminary sales growing to around 4,000 units over the next three years. Located near Leipzig, Neue ZWL, has a history of 100 years in the manufacture of transmissions and gearbox components.

Other Antonov technologies on display at Engine Expo that is available for licensing and high volume production include the compact Antonov 6-speed automatic transmission system for front wheel drive passenger cars. In January this year, Antonov announced an agreement to develop this transmission with Great Wall Motor Company Limited.

 

Very interesting....

 

Long time no see. I met you at Bob Smith in Calabasas and you gave me a really good ride through the canyons. That was about three years ago and it was my first ride in a Mini. Thanks! Hope your doing well!
Here is a pic of my '05 MCS!

 

Do I smell a new product?

I wonder how well it would fair matched up with a turbo.
Will this produce more HP (the 2-speed SC) than our SC's now?

-Cody