GKN reveals fuel savings technologies at Low Carbon Vehicle event 12 September 2014

Driveline engineering giant GKN presented new technologies including its Gyrodrive flywheel hybrid system for buses, an electric drive with integrated single-speed transmission and a range extender engine having an axial flux electric drive at the Low Carbon Vehicle event yesterday (11 September 2014).

"Electric drive technologies and hybrid systems by GKN already power some of the most advanced vehicles on the planet," says Paul Wyatt, managing director of GKN Hybrid Power, pointing in particular to the Le Mans-winning hybrid race cars, which rely on its Gyrodrive.

"These latest innovations will make the low-carbon option even more competitive."

The Gyrodrive flywheel hybrid system, which can be fitted as new or retrofitted to bus fleets, is claimed to improve fuel economy by around 20% – at a much lower cost than battery hybrid alternatives.

Gyrodrive uses a high-speed flywheel made of carbon fibre to store energy generated by buses as they brake, which is then released to power an electric motor.

Having proven its reliability in three years of endurance racing with Audi and trials with London buses, Gyrodrive is designed to last for the life of the bus, eliminating the need for any battery changes, says Wyatt.

As for the electric drive and gearbox, GKN's EVO is aimed at passenger cars and vans. The prototype integrates an EVO axial flux electric motor with a single-speed transmission, already proven in series production.

The use of new axial flux motor technology achieves much higher torque and power density in a smaller, lighter package. With tight integration into a proven electric gearbox technology, the space and efficiency savings should be compelling, says Wyatt.

Similar technology fronts GKN's thrust into range extender engines, with the EVO electric motor claimed to make them smaller, lighter and more efficient.

Wyatt says that by integrating EVO's axial flux technology directly onto the crankshaft of an advanced downsized engine, the compact electric motor works as a highly efficient generator.

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
GKN Automotive

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