VC8

Electrically assisted
variable speed supercharger
Rotrex A/S
Industrigrenen 13
DK-2635 Ishøj
www.rotrex.com
Tel:+45 70 80 70 05
contact@rotrex.com
Rotrex VC8
New electrically assisted variable speed supercharger!
The patented Rotrex VC8 supercharger combines the Rotrex high speed traction drive
with an electric motor, giving for the first time an economical, infinite ratio variable speed
supercharger, both highly efficient and with the smallest weight and size, available for 12
-48V architecture.
VC8 Technology
Common variable superchargers change their total gear ratio by rearranging mechanical
components resulting in a limited gear ratio and often a complex and expensive solution.
In contrast, the VC8 has two inputs - one mechanical and one electrical - operating com-
pletely independent of each other. The result is a compact and simple drive configuration
with infinitely variable gear ratio that can achieve very high impeller speeds, even at zero
input pulley speed.
The electric motor assists the impeller speed by driving the planet carrier through a
standard type timing belt. With a 12V input, the electric motor alone can spin the impeller
up to 130,000rpm in less than 300 milliseconds, thus giving unsurpassed boost response
and acceleration time completely independent of the input pulley speed. Upgrading to a
48V architecture further enhances performance of the unit.
The VC8 has effectively no lag!
Suitable applications
The VC8 is intended for the automotive industry as a stand-alone boosting device for
heavily downsized engines, or as a pre-booster for larger engines.
An ideal application for the VC8 is on a small heavily
downsized petrol engine to improve the bottom end per-
formance, without exceeding the maximum power limit of
the engine. The graph on the right is an example of the
enhanced performance of such an engine assisted by a
VC8. The high bottom end torque is possible due to the
VC8’s ability to deliver a pressure ratio of up to 1.5 at
idle.
As the VC8 is designed for multiple purposes, the input
comes with a universal adaptor that can be used for tra-
ditional poly-v pulleys or electrical clutches.
Outstanding total efficiency
The VC8 is based on the unique Rotrex traction drive tech-
nology, and the smallest standard Rotrex supercharger, the
C8. Furthermore, much effort has been allocated to achieve
maximum total efficiency. Even though the VC8 is fully
variable, the total power consumption is nearly identical to
that of the already highly efficient standard C8 super-
charger.
When power is not needed, the VC8 can freewheel at a
minimum power loss, or be completely disconnected if VC8 versus C8 total power consumption
equipped with an electrical clutch.
VC8 Key Features
 High boost at low engine rpm
 Ideal for single or dual boosting
 Transient response <300 ms
 Uniquely small weight and size
 Low power consumption
 Voltage range 12-48V
 “Infinite” gear ratio
 Ideal for heavily downsized engines
If you want to know more, please contact us at: contact@rotrex.com