> > 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

--

Les,

Yes and no. The pancake inline electric motors definitely have more
starting torque as they have a large diameter and high pole count, but
the trade off is that they are quite heavy, and so are their power
electronics.  Sort of over kill for our needs. Suddenly the component
count, weight and reliability becomes a design liability.   I don't
like the fact that we have a 7 to 10 lb starter motor and a 3 lb starter
gear just sitting there during flight time doing nothing,  but it could
very well be the lesser of two weevils:)  There are numerous systems on
an airplane after all that do nothing, until they are needed, and at
that moment we are very happy to have carried their dead weight around
so many years.

Aubrey.
I am aware of what Mistral was trying to do but don't know if they
continued with their PM starter generator concept.  I don't believe I
am at liberty to discuss their project. Hopefully Francias will give us
an update.  You made a good point about rpm and I believe the ratio on
the engine I saw was 2:1 or possibly about 2.5:1   The Valeo unit
pictured was placed on a 1300 cc displacement high compression (10.5:1)
piston engine.  Turning an alternator into a three phase motor is
elementary, however the require amperage is enormous. On the order of
200 amps.  This implies heavy cables unless we have built-in ultra
capacitors that pack a large punch for a few hundred milli secs.  Again
cost and complexity rears its head. With PM on the flywheel we could
possibly get the starting torque required but in the generating mode the
escalating voltages would need robust power conditioning equipment.

Valeo took the design path of least resistance and may have created
something for our use. I am open to exploring this more as I have a
location below the bell housing that is begging to have an alternator
installed there.  I also have room for a starter ring gear and starter
and will install that on the test engine. The real question is can a
well tuned rotary start up instantly.


Doug in Japan