Used Car 2011

· First deliveries target high performance US tuner market ·
· Low cost device ideally suited to high volume car production ·
· Meets the need for engine downsizing which can deliver less CO2 emissions ·

The world’s first two-speed supercharger drive system to enter series production has been demonstrated this week to analysts, journalists and shareholders by Antonov; a research and development company, which licenses its automotive technology to vehicle and component manufacturers.

This first ever commercial application of Antonov technology derives from the company’s original concept for a compact, lightweight and low cost automatic transmission. A small two-speed version of the gearbox applied to a supercharger is not only novel but also highly relevant to the trend to downsize engines by carmakers needing to reduce CO2 emissions.

While the high volume potential for the device lies in its ability to enable engine downsizing on a large commercial scale, a supercharger with variable drive can also boost the performance of high performance vehicles. Hence the initial release of the device into the buoyant US tuner market, which exposes the first production units to a high performance environment and track racing conditions.

Weighing 3.9kg the supercharger drive system is not only lightweight but efficiently designed with a length of 149mm (5.9 inches) and diameter of 170mm (6.7 inches). At engine speeds below 4,200rpm the device provides a gear ratio of 1.36-to-1. Above this speed the drive is direct. The mechanism is entirely self-changing with no electronic, hydraulic or pneumatic control systems and the shift point, which can be set to any desired engine speed, is highly consistent. The drive can be retro-fitted to Rotrex C15, C30 and C38 superchargers.

Demonstrated in a Ford Mustang GT, the Antonov two-speed supercharger drive system increases power at the rear wheels by 58bhp and delivers 55lb.ft additional torque at engine speeds up to 4,200rpm. The 0-60mph time is reduced to 5 seconds compared with 5.2 seconds in the standard GT; while the standing quarter mile is reduced to 12.9 seconds (versus 13.9 seconds) and the quarter mile terminal speed increased to 112mph (versus 101mph).

The two speed variable drive was also demonstrated at the Zandvoort race circuit in a Chevrolet Lacetti as a representative example of its potential application to the mainstream car market.

Specifications: The Antonov Mechanical Module two speed drive system enables a centrifugal pump supercharger to be better matched to the engine. By driving the supercharger faster at low engine speeds, higher boost pressure 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.

Essentially a small automatic gearbox, the compact Antonov drive system effectively 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, boosts the engine torque 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.