A new electrical technology in yachting
The young German company Volabo develops electric motors for pleasure boats. It uses ISCAD technology for Intelligent Stator CAge Drive. The traditional windings are replaced by aluminium bars and the voltage is limited to 48V. Each stator bar is powered separately by an electronic controller. By choosing the number of poles supplied, the system allows the shaft rotation speed to be varied while maintaining optimum efficiency. It acts as a virtual gearbox, without mechanical losses. Developed 6 years ago in Munich, initially for the automotive industry, the device is now applied to boats by Volabo.
A light and sturdy motor, suitable for pleasure boating
The construction process keeps the cost and weight down. Simpler to manufacture, aluminium bars are more economical to produce than the coils of conventional stators. The absence of rare earths limits the ecological impact.
By limiting the voltage to 48V for a power of 50 kW, the first model offers higher safety than competing systems with higher power, in a humid marine environment. In addition, the separate power supply of the motor poles guarantees redundant power supplies and the possibility of operating in degraded mode in the event of a failure.
The displayed weight of the first ISCAD V50 engine is 45 kg when integrating the controller. Its aluminium construction makes it particularly light, almost 4 times less than competitors of the same voltage and power.
First engines at the end of 2020
No public prices are yet available. A partnership with the German shipyard my-elektroboat has enabled the prototypes to be validated and series production is about to start. The first ISCAD V50s are announced for December 2020.
