You’ve probably heard of stop-start technology – it effectively switches the engine off in traffic congestion before restarting it when a driver touches the clutch, helping to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
Well now Controlled Power Technologies has developed the first belt-driven Integrated Starter Generator to use a conventional 12volt vehicle electrical system – this will provide excellent stop-start functionality on the majority of European cars whether they are equipped with diesel or petrol engines.
The system can deliver around a five per cent reduction in CO2 emissions over the New European Drive Cycle when integrated into a modern powertrain. It also has the potential for even greater savings in real world urban driving situations.
The company is a UK-based start-up that is working to deliver cost-effective CO2 reduction solutions for vehicles. Its CPT SpeedStart device is a liquid-cooled switched reluctance electrical machine that offers simple motor construction, accurate control and high power density.
The advantage of liquid cooling over ducted or forced air is that it provides a stable environment for power silicon devices and does not suffer from water and dirt ingress.
Another major innovation of the system is that it is engineered to be powerful enough to start a two-litre common rail diesel engine in around half the time required by a traditional starter motor. It also avoids the need for expensive supercapacitors and retains a vehicle’s standard 12volt electrical system.
