Enhanced Alternator Technology

..this just crossed my computer and I thought it might have some interest to some of the boating crowd.

Raser ups the ante in power with its Symetron alternator technology

Looking to get more power from your alternator without bolting on a metal monster? Well, recent test results of Raser Technologies’ SymetronTM enhanced alternator technology designed for heavy-duty trucks and commercial vehicles demonstrated up to 56% improvement in power output over a state-of-the-art, same-size heavy-duty alternator tested at a customer's facility.

As consumers demand more electric accessories onboard, automobile manufacturers are requiring more powerful alternators to run DVD players, navigation systems, onboard computers and displays, and sound systems, in addition to power seats and power windows. More mobile power-generation capacity is needed to recharge larger, more powerful truck and automotive batteries.

Raser, an energy technology company that develops and licenses advanced electric motor, controller, and related technologies, maintains that the Symetron product provided a consistent improvement in power output over the entire operating range of the alternator with a peak output of 235 amps compared to 164 amps for the stock alternator. The dramatic improvement in performance was achieved without increasing alternator size. The customer's testing followed the industry standard J-56 test protocol to evaluate alternator performance.

In addition to higher output under normal operating temperatures, the Raser alternator demonstrated that its advantage over the stock unit was even more significant in high-heat operating environments, producing 56% higher output from the same size unit at higher temps.

The Symetron "brushless" alternator design also satisfies a growing trend away from traditional brushed alternators, which are less reliable and require additional periodic maintenance to replace worn brushes, toward more reliable brushless alternators.

The improved performance of the Symetron enhanced alternator was due, in part, to a proprietary Intelligent Voltage Regulator (IVR) developed by Raser. This proprietary design shows the potential to improve performance on a wide variety of alternators through an intelligent, dynamic operation. In addition to brushless "claw pole"-style alternators, Raser is working on additional advanced alternator designs based on its own innovations in research and development.

On another front, to increase fuel economy automakers have shown a growing trend to replace belt-driven pumps and fans with electric motor-driven pumps and fans to improve fuel efficiency by reducing the parasitic load on the combustion engine. To power these additional electric motors, automakers are requiring alternators with increased power-generating capability and improved efficiency

"We believe that our innovations as applied to the heavy-duty truck market will also offer benefits to the automotive segment," says Raser chief technology officer Timothy Fehr. "We will be offering the Symetron alternator technologies to OEMs and vehicle manufacturers over the coming months as we move toward commercialization."

The increase in power generated by the Symetron alternator provides an opportunity for a significant increase in value to alternator manufacturers and automakers. Traditionally, alternators are "priced by the amp" for the power they produce. By increasing power output by up to 56%, without increasing size, manufacturers can capture significant value from improved performance or reduced alternator size for heavy-duty trucks and commercial vehicles

http://www.rasertech.com/

 

Quite an interesting design, to be sure. Their claims seem reasonable, although it would be nice to know just what the technology actually includes. So far, they seem to be re-winding existing motors and alternators with their new architecture; I'd love to see one in action. The Raser motor line still hasn't reached the same peak efficiency as good permanent-magnet 'pancake' motors, but it looks like a very promising technology for upcoming EV applications.