Torqeedo GmbH is a German manufacturer of electric motor and battery systems for the marine market. The company is headquartered in Gilching, Germany and sells its products worldwide. Torqeedo is a combination of the words "torque" and "speed". The company claims to be the first manufacturer to mass-produce electric outboard motors with integrated lithium-ion batteries. In addition to battery-powered electric outboards, it also manufactures electric inboard, saildrive, and pod motors and series hybrid systems for large yachts and workboats. More than 130 employees work at locations in Gilching, Crystal Lake, Illinois (USA) and Bangkok (Thailand). In 2016, the company's sales totaled more than 25 million euros. Torqeedo was acquired by Deutz AG in September 2017.
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History
Torqeedo was founded in 2005 by Christoph Ballin and Friedrich Böbel in Starnberg, Germany. There is a strict limit on the number of combustion engines able to operate on Lake Starnberg, leading the two former Gardena managers to collaborate on designing a more efficient and powerful electric motor for their boats. They founded the company after realizing that there was a need in the market for high-tech electric motors. In 2006, the young, venture capital-funded company opened its first office in Starnberg and founded its US subsidiary, Torqeedo Inc, near Chicago, IL. In 2012, the rapidly growing enterprise moved to its current headquarters in Gilching. Torqeedo's first products were small, portable outboard motors with integrated lithium-ion batteries. These outboards featured brushless, electronically commutated, permanent magnet motors with an outrunner (external rotor) design. In 2009, Torqeedo added onboard computers with GPS and real-time range calculation to their entire product line. The Deep Blue range of high-voltage motors was launched in 2013. Deep Blue motors are utilized for the inboard, saildrive and hybrid system configurations for larger yachts and commercial vessels. On 27 September 2017, engine manufacturer Deutz announced the acquisition of Torqeedo. The company was continued as a subsidiary of Deutz AG.
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Technology
Electric Motor technology
All Torqeedo motors are brushless, electronically commutated, synchronous motors with permanent rare-earth magnets. The low-voltage motors are housed directly in front of the propeller at the end of the outboard shaft and the rotation is transmitted through a planetary gear to the shaft and propeller. In contrast, the high-voltage motors are not located below the water surface but are installed in the "powerhead" of the outboard motor or, in the case of an inboard motor or saildrive, in the interior of the vessel.
Battery Technology
Torqeedo also offers lithium-ion batteries suitable for marine use. The high-voltage systems use batteries with a nominal voltage of 355 to 360 V. They were first manufactured in cooperation with the US company Johnson Controls and had a capacity of 12.8 kWh. In 2016, Torqeedo adapted BMW i high-voltage batteries, which are also used in the BMW i3, for the high-power Deep Blue systems. The low-voltage motor systems (up to 10 kW) use 24 to 48 V batteries. Torqeedo's low-voltage batteries are composed of 18650 lithium-ion cells. This cell shape is widely used in industry. For example, Tesla Motors also uses 18650 lithium-ion cells for their automotive batteries. Torqeedo individually welds each cell and connects it with a integrated control and safety module. This battery management system protects the cells from imbalance and short circuits and extends the service life. All external batteries can be connected in parallel to extend the vessel's range and are waterproofed to the IP67 standard.
Products
Torqeedo specifies a "horsepower equivalent" for its engines, which offers a comparison to similar combustion engines. This results in hp values that are higher than the drive power provided by the electric motor. Torqeedo justifies this procedure, which for example advertises an electric motor with 2.72 hp (2 kW) electric power with a "horsepower equivalent" of 6 hp, with the better efficiency and torque of its electric drives.
Low-voltage systems
The smallest motor system, the Ultralight, is a 400 W motor designed for kayaks, canoes or very light boats. It is used by sport fishermen, as a backup for safety or for longer touring excursions. It has an external lithium-ion battery and a remote throttle with integrated on-board computer. The Torqeedo Travel model with 0.68 hp (500 W) or 1.36 hp (1 kW) is promoted by Torqeedo with 1.5 or 3 hp "horsepower equivalent" and has an integrated lithium-ion battery with a capacity of up to 915 Wh. The 13 kg motor system is primarily intended for small sailboats or as a dinghy motor. Torqeedo's Cruise motors are powered by external lithium-ion, gel or AGM batteries and are offered with 2.72 hp (2 kW), 5.44 hp (4 kW) and 13.6 hp (10 kW). According to the manufacturer, these values correspond to the power of a 5, 8 and 20 hp combustion outboard motor, respectively. In 2016, the product range was expanded to include pod motors which are installed through the hull of the boat. In terms of performance, they correspond to the outboard Cruise models.
High-voltage systems
In 2013, the company introduced high-voltage drive systems under the name Deep Blue. The motors, initially available as inboard and outboard models, produce 34 hp (25 kW) or 68 hp (50 kW), which Torqeedo considers equivalent to 40 or 80 hp. The Deep Blue systems originally used batteries by Johnson Controls, but since 2016 specially adapted BMW i high-voltage batteries have been used. Multiple batteries can be installed for longer range. The motors can also be used as a twin system if more power is required. With a twin installation, loads of up to 60 tons can be moved or smaller boats can pull a water-skier. The high-voltage motors are (as of Feb. 2017) the strongest electric boat motors from serial production for the recreational market. In 2016, a saildrive version for larger sailing yachts was introduced. It is based on the 34 hp (25 kW) version of the inboard motor.
hybrid systems
In addition to the purely battery-electric drives, Torqeedo also offers a serial hybrid system for larger yachts. The system uses the high-voltage Deep Blue motors and batteries. Generators charge the batteries as required and significantly increase the vessel's range. In addition to the conventional diesel generator, batteries can also be charged by hydrogeneration and integrated solar panels. In a twin engine configuration, 2 x 68 hp (50 kW) are delivered, which is advertised as an equivalent total power of 160 hp.
Electric mobility for boats
The original, and most common, use for electric boat drives is on protected or "green" lakes. In sensitive areas, such as those that provide source water for drinking or that serve as homes for protected wildlife, regulations to protect against combustion engine pollution are becoming more common. For these waterways, combustion engines are not allowed or are severely limited but there are no restrictions for boats with electric drives. The biggest environmental benefits of electric motors are a lower carbon footprint, the lack of exhaust emissions, reduced noise and no risk of oil or fuel spills. The constant improvement of battery technology means that electric boat drives are becoming a good alternative even outside of protected waterways. Many water taxis, ferries, and other commercial vessels are converting to electric drives to save maintenance costs and as part of efforts to fight climate change.
In popular culture
The James Bond movie "Spectre" shows the title character driving a dinghy across a lake powered by a Torqeedo Travel.
References
Source of article : Wikipedia
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