International Rectifier Announces Technology Breakthrough in Power Electronics Systems for Automotive Alternators.Technology Editors EL SEGUNDO El Segundo (ĕl sēgŭn`dō), industrial city (1990 pop. 15,223), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1917. Its products include navigation and computer systems, aircraft parts, office machines, telephone apparatus, and , Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 2002 International Rectifier International Rectifier Corp. (NYSE: IRF) is a manufacturer of power semiconductors (MOSFET, IGBT, diodes and thyristors), located in El Segundo, California, USA. It has a market capitalization of 2.48 billion USD and is listed on the S&P Midcap 400. , IR(R) (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :IRF IRF Interferon Regulatory Factor IRF International Religious Freedom IRF Institut for Rationel Farmakoterapi (German) IRF Inherited Rights Filter (Novell) IRF Inherited Rights Filter ) announces the production of the first Active Integrated Rectifier rectifier, component of an electric circuit used to change alternating current to direct current. Rectifiers are made in various forms, all operating on the principle that current passes through them freely in one direction but only slightly or not at all in the Regulator (AIRR) for automotive alternators. The AIRR has been designed by IR to meet Delphi Corporation's specifications for the alternator alternator: see generator. alternator Source of direct electric current in modern vehicles for ignition, lights, fans, and other uses. The electric power is generated by an alternator mechanically coupled to the engine, with a rotor field coil of the recently introduced DaimlerChrysler Maybach luxury vehicle. The AIRR can generate substantially higher power Higher power is a term used in a 12-step program, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, to describe "a power greater than yourself." Although many participants equate their higher power with God, a belief in God or in formal religion is not mandatory; the higher power is intended as a levels in a smaller outline than traditional passive rectifiers and alternator regulators. This technology breakthrough opens the path for future power electronics development for next generation starter-alternators. The AIRR combines a voltage regulator An electronic circuit used to maintain a level amount of voltage in an electrical line. It eliminates power surges, spikes and brownouts, which can cause harm to sensitive electronics. A voltage regulator "module" (VRM) is a voltage regulator in a replaceable unit. See surge suppression and UPS. , which controls the output voltage of the alternator, with an active rectifier in one and the same module. The rectifier converts the alternating current generated by the alternator into the direct current required by the car electrical loads and battery. Simply put, active rectification is the replacement of passive diodes with active FETs to dramatically reduce power losses and increase fuel economy. In the last decade, the automotive industry The automotive industry is the industry involved in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, and sale of motor vehicles. In 2006, more than 69 million motor vehicles, including cars and commercial vehicles were produced worldwide. has seen a dramatic rise in demand for electrical energy, especially in light vehicles. More and more formerly purely mechanical functions are replaced by electrical and electronic systems to increase fuel mileage, reliability and safety. "The development in electrical power generation in vehicles has been struggling to keep up with electrical power demand. The transition to new technologies for power generation has so far been too challenging to allow a widespread adoption," says Peter Sommerfeld, Director of Engineering, Power Generation Systems, Automotive Business Unit, at International Rectifier. "Active rectification has been discussed for a long time. We are the first to develop the technology to the point where it can be implemented in a production vehicle." Bringing the AIRR to production is a milestone in the technology roadmap The context of product management The existence of product managers in the product software industry indicates that software is becoming more and more commercialized as a standard product. for automotive electrical power generation. The performance of active rectifiers with state-of-the-art power MOSFETs can improve the output power of today's standard alternators by up to 25% at idle speed, where most generation systems are underpowered. As the automotive electrical power requirements continue to increase from hundreds of watts today to several kilowatts in the near future, alternator technology itself will change, moving to belt-driven or crankshaft-mounted starter alternators. The new power generation architecture will require a new set of expertise for implementation of the power electronics sub-system. To develop the AIRR, IR combined its complete set of expertise in power systems design and manufacturing. Leveraging its leadership in power semiconductors and power ICs, IR has developed its extensive skills in electromechanical The use of electricity to run moving parts. Disk drives, printers and motors are examples. Electromechanical systems must be designed for the eventual deterioration of moving components that wear over time. The first TVs were electromechanical systems (see video/TV history). design, packaging technology, analog and digital control, testing capabilities and quality systems. This unique skill set puts IR in a premier position to deliver the complex electronics sub-systems that will be required by future starter alternators. "Electrical power generation will require new thinking in power electronics," added Sommerfeld. "IR has strategically chosen to invest in this market where our unique set of skills will enable customers to cost-effectively implement future power generation technology." Technical Information The first production AIRR has been designed for a very large alternator with 350A output at 6000 revolutions per minute (rpm) at cold temperature, and above 200A output at idle. The module is capable of handling 525A for 20 seconds. The AIRR has passed specified qualification testing as required by the customer. IR's AIRR can be provided with standard regulation with internal temperature compensation, load response control regulation, or intelligent regulation with bi-directional communication to the engine control unit (ECU). About International Rectifier International Rectifier is recognized as a leading supplier of power semiconductors and systems solutions. IR's patented HEXFET HEXFET Hexagonal Field Effect Transistor (R) power MOSFETs, IGBTs and high-voltage ICs make electricity work smarter in industrial automation and controls, automotive electrical systems, consumer electronics, computers and peripherals, telecommunications, lighting, and satellite/launch vehicle applications. Visit www.irf.com to learn more about International Rectifier products. Trademark Notice HEXFET(R) and IR(R) are registered trademarks of International Rectifier Corporation. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders. Other trademarks belong to their respective owners. |
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