> > Paul, everyone.
> >
> >
> > Anyone have a Citroen dealership nearby? I am really wanting to get one
> > of these units.. I saw one at the last Tokyo Motor show but none of the
> > sales people there had a clue what it was. It looked just like a beefy
> > alternator. ... For our space limited applications this device could
> > be just the ticket.
> >
> >
> > "The STARS starter-alternator from Valeo: a brand new way of
functioning.
> >
> > Using the 12V power network with a conventional battery, a special
> > electronic unit has been added to allow the alternator to take over the
> > functions of the starter motor.
> > In inverter mode, Valeo's reversible starter-alternator transforms 12V
> > direct current from the battery into three-phase current to supply the
> > alternator, which is effectively used as a starter motor.
> >
> > In rectifier mode, Valeo's reversible starter-alternator generates the
> > electricity required for the vehicle. It also offers a significant
> > increase in efficiency (up to 15%), intelligent control of the drain
> > current and high outputs of up to 180 amps. These three Valeo-developed
> > solutions lead to additional savings in fuel consumption and optimized
> > battery recharging on PSA Peugeot Citroën vehicles.
> >
> > The reversible starter-alternator's electronic management module
> > communicates with all other body controllers in the vehicle with no
> > modifications necessary; this facilitates the deployment of the
function
> > for several engine and vehicle applications.
> >
> > The engine starts silently thanks to the accessory belt, a new function
> > enabled by a special material and hydraulic damping of the tensioner.
> >
> > The fuel injection strategies (for both gasoline and diesel engines)
> > developed for Stop & Start ensure that restart is instantaneous (400
> > milliseconds, i.e. twice as fast as a conventional starter motor) and
> > pollution free (thanks to an accelerated temperature rise in the
> > pollution control devices: catalytic converters, particle filters,
etc.)
> >
> > Zero noise, zero consumption and zero pollution at standstill
> >
> > The Stop & Start system is a first step in the hybridization of
vehicles
> > for the general public.
> >
> > The concepts developed and retained, each of them innovative in their
> > area (55 patents filed for this project) are the result of the ongoing
> > drive to find simple and reliable solutions which can be
manufactured in
> > the short term, while maintaining the current automotive standards in
> > terms of mounting (using the fixings of a conventional alternator),
> > operation (air-cooled and belt-driven) and electricity
(conventional 12V
> > network).
> >
> > An innovation that combines driving pleasure and respect for the
> > environment
> >
> > The Citroën C3 Stop & Start, the world's first vehicle to be
> > equipped with the StARS system, available since last month, will be
> > followed by other Peugeot and Citroën models. Valeo has also
> > announced developments with other automakers (Ford, Hyundai, etc.)...."
> >
> > Doug in Japan
> >
> > Paul,
> >
> > I found a picture of the Valeo STARS unit.
> >
> > Doug in Nippon
>
> Doug,
> An inherent problem with this scheme is the high speed ratio required
> for the starter function to work properly; perhaps 6:1 or more. At a
> cruise engine RPM of 6000, the alternator may be spinning too fast.
> Unlike DC motors, polyphase AC motors produce fairly low torque when
> stalled. The lack of moving parts in the rotary gives it a lower
> static coefficient of friction than an equivalent piston engine. So,
> one of these may work on the rotary at a speed ratio of around 2:1.
> This inverter box is, no doubt, designed to tailor the AC power to the
> motor so that the stalled torque is maximized briefly to get the engine
> moving.
>
> Honda has a similar system on their hybrid vehicle. Also, Mistral has
> mentioned investigating a starter/alternator system.
>
> Aubrey Thompson

Hey, guys,

Here is an image of the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) as installed on
the Honda Insight.

http://www.beaudaniels.com/automotive-images/Insight-IMA.jpg

The starter/motor is that 2-inch thick pancake electric motor sitting
right between the inline-3 cylinder gasoline engine and the
transmission.  It is kind of hard to see.  That is the largest image of
it I have found so far.

The IMA always worked for me in the year I owned an Insight.  Honda does
design good stuff, generally.  Could the IMA fulfill the duties you
envision for an alternator/starter on an aircraft?

Les Nordman