Apr 21, 2009 09:39 ET

Eaton’s TVS® Supercharger Wins 2009 Automotive News PACE Award

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. --(Business Wire)-- Apr 21, 2009 Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation today was awarded the 2009 Automotive News PACE Award for its revolutionary Twin Vortices Series® (TVS®) supercharger, an all-new Roots-type positive displacement design selected to boost the performance of the 2009 Corvette ZR-1, Cadillac CTS-V, Audi S4, Jaguar XKR and Land Rover.

“This is a great honor and reflection on the talented people we have working in our organization and the drive they posses to come up with relevant innovations,” said Darryl Niven, general manger – Eaton’s Supercharger Division.

Overall, the new design is 20 percent more efficient than previous Eaton superchargers and it produces a thermal efficiency of 75 percent and a 2.5 pressure ratio. It also has improved noise, harshness and vibration (NVH) characteristics. The improvements are a result of the TVS’ twin intermeshing four-lobe rotors that are twisted 160-degrees.

By comparison, previous Eaton supercharger designs featured three lobes twisted 60 degrees. The fourth lobe and added twist, when combined with redesigned air inlet and outlet ports, creates a smooth, highly efficient flow of air into the engine that provides a boost to the engine’s performance.

Eaton is projecting demand for the TVS supercharger will increase as much as 80 percent over the next four years because of automakers’ demand to maintain high engine power while downsizing engines for improved fuel economy and lower emissions.

The award was presented at the 15th annual PACE Awards black-tie ceremony at the Max Fisher Theatre in Detroit.

The PACE Award, which stands for Premier Automotive Suppliers’ Contribution to Excellence, is accepted around the world as the industry symbol of innovation. The Eaton TVS supercharger was selected after an extensive review by an independent panel of judges. The TVS won in the product category and was recognized for having significant market impact and for acting as a “game changer” in the automotive industry.

With sales of $1.9 billion in 2008 and 8,000 employees around the world, Eaton’s Automotive Group supplies the automotive industry with critical components that reduce emissions and fuel consumption, and improve vehicle stability and performance. Principal products include engine valvetrain components, torque control products, fluid conveyance components, superchargers, fuel emission and powertrain controls.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with 2008 sales of $15.4 billion. Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 75,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.

Eaton Corporation
Automotive Group
Communications
Southfield, MI 48076
Jim Parks, (248) 226-7191
jamesparks@eaton.com