New Turbo Generator

ThinGap recently announced the new Turbo Generator system for power regeneration.

This company from California have developed a system for regenerating vehicle exhaust gases before they are emitted into the atmosphere. The system is expected to help cars significantly increase fuel efficiency in the all important US and European fuel economy test cycles.

“Up to 40 percent of fuel energy for internal combustion engines is lost through exhaust gas, a large portion of which the Turbo Generator converts to electricity, which can help Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) meet the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulation that requires a 40 percent increase in fuel economy,” said Rean Pretorius, CEO of ThinGap Automotive.

The Turbo Generator directly increases vehicle fuel economy by a variety of methods, including:

• Supplying electric power to the vehicle’s electrical system, allowing for use of smaller alternators or no alternators
• Driving engine accessories electrically that are currently crankshaft driven (e.g. water pump, power steering pump and air conditioning compressor) without increasing the alternator size
• Directly driving the flywheel motor of semi-hybrid vehicles
• Supplementing the energy supply to the battery system of full hybrid vehicles, thereby reducing the required on-time for the internal combustion engine.

“ThinGap Automotive’s innovative technology generates power up to extremely high rotational turbine speeds, making the direct drive Turbo Generator a space-efficient and cost-effective solution,” said Gerhard Delf, Chief Technology Officer.

Mr Delf has a strong CV that may improve his credentials. He has spent 18 years with Volkswagen reaching Chief Engineer, Power Train & Emissions of Volkswagen, USA.

“This is the first turbine generator that fits into the engine compartment of passenger cars, SUVs and pick-up trucks and can be installed in these vehicles under assembly line mass production conditions.”

E. Dooley

15/06/2009