New supercharger drive

[John_S4x4]

The compact Antonov drive system - essentially a tiny automatic gearbox - extends the engine torque curve delivered by a centrifugal pump supercharger.The two speed drive enables a Rotrex centrifugal pump supercharger to be better matched to any 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.

www.antonov-transmission.com/amm.htm

[GreenV8S]

Looks interesting, because those little centrefugal blowers seem much easier to package than the big positive displacement ones. Any idea on cost?

[stevieturbo]

I seen that linked somewhere else...it hinted at around £3-4k although pic looked like a pretty small blower.

[GreenV8S]

stevieturbo said:

I seen that linked somewhere else...it hinted at around £3-4k although pic looked like a pretty small blower.

And there was me thinking this would be a bit better than an old Sturmey Archer three speed with a friction torque limiter, with some sort of boost capsule to change gear. But for that sort of money, perhaps I'll wait a bit ...

[chuntington101]

Rotex themselves where looking into a twin gear set up! this would give a 1.4 drive at low speeds dropping to a 1:1 drive at higher rpm! not heard anything in a while thouhg!

thanks Chris

[stevieturbo]

dont forget, its new techonology....

If a big manufacturer takes it on board, and can build smaller, more powerful and fuel efficient engines for mass production, the costs for such items will drop considerably.

Dont VW now offer a turbocharged and supercharged 1.4 engine ???

[Warren2]

Antonov Unveils First Two Speed Supercharger
Text & Photos courtesy Antonov plc
05-05-2006
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.

And see the results:

www.antonov-clubsite.nl/000000962f000d411/00000097c90900001/index.html

Antonov has given on the 16th and 17th may 2006 a demonstration with a Ford Mustang and a Chevrolet 1.8 ltr. Both cars where build with a combined Rotrex/Antonov AMM 2-speed step up supercharger.

On the URL above all movies who are made at race circuit Zandvoort (The Netherlands) concerning the driving performance off both cars.

Or:
www.antonov-clubsite.nl
Then folder “foto & film Galerie”
Then folder “AVA 2006”
===================================================================


What they writes of the demonstration days:

Demonstration of Antonov’s first commercial product: the geared supercharger
Yesterday we had the opportunity to be some of the first to experience Antonov’s two speed supercharger at Holland’s Zandvoort race circuit. A number of vehicles were present and whilst the Ford Mustang was the most thrilling the Chevrolet Lacetti (a rebadged Daewoo) was certainly the most impressive.

The Chevrolet has a 1.8 litre engine (just like my Golf 1.8). However, the torque and power felt
very different, in fact much like that of a 2.3 litre. For example, the car was able to break traction when going into second gear (even with four people in the car!) and we were also able to pull out through corners in third gear (instead of second) due to the large amount of torque at low revolutions.

This ability to provide decent performance with a smaller engine is becoming an increasingly hot topic with auto manufacturers, especially in the wake of high oil prices and tighter emissions controls. In fact, VW have recently announced a diesel engine with makes use of both a supercharger and a turbocharger in order to provide decent performance with a smaller engine at
all engine speeds whilst minimising emissions (such as the smog caused by turbo diesels accelerating at low turbo pressures).

We view the VW system as a highly complex and expensive solution as there have to be complex control mechanisms to decide when best to de-couple (or re-couple) the super charger to provide performance when required whilst preventing the supercharger from over-running and impacting economy.

We believe Antonov’s two speed supercharger provides a far more elegant solution to the problem by offering an upwardly geared supercharger at low engine speeds and a lowly geared supercharger at high engine speeds in one simple unit. This allows the vehicle to give a far higher and smoother power curve as well as a very clean fuel burn throughout the engine cycle, thus
keeping emissions low. We are also reassured from our experience yesterday that the system is not only highly effective but also pleasant to drive; a key element for consumers.

The Ford Mustang, as demonstrated by Le Mans driver Peter Kox
was altogether a different beast; literally. The huge torque from the over 500hp engine made the ride a hairy one and is bound to make a significant impact when it joins the US Hot Rod Power Tour later this year.

The aftermarket Rotrex kit is believed to be receiving a good initial response from the US car tuning market.

We also had the opportunity to experience Antonov’s prototype 6-
speed gearbox demonstrated in a Rover Streetwise. This was the prototype developed in conjunction with Rover Powertrain before Rover’s collapse. Whilst it was noticeable that the shift quality was not as smooth as traditional automatics, these defects will be ironed out in the full production version being developed by Great Wall Motors of China.
Unfortunately the Mercedes CLK was not ready for testing; however, we expect to have it available in the UK for demonstration to investors in the coming weeks.

For more stories on the internet about the combine Rotrex/Antonov AMM 2-speed supercharger press here.

[paolow]

this is just nonsense - surely everyone knows that those 'supercharger' kits you get on ebay for £30 add more than 50% to your power - and are more efficient?
and I dont care what anyone else says - I know for a fact that folding your rear seats down makes your car faster by reducing weight....
Interesting idea though - will the design be able to eliminate blow through at low revs and hence deal with emissions at tickover? maybe an alternative to the electro magnetic clutch?