SuperTurbo Technologies

About SuperTurbo Technologies

VanDyne SuperTurbo, which was rebranded as SuperTurbo Technologies Inc. in March 2017, focuses on developing advanced turbocharger systems for internal combustion engines. The company originated as a spin-out from Woodward Governor in September 2009, launched by inventor Ed VanDyne to commercialize the SuperTurbo™ technology. Woodward retained a minority stake in the new, independent entity. The firm's core market includes automotive and heavy-duty engine manufacturers, with a business model centered on designing, developing, and producing its specialized turbocharger units for these clients.

The company's flagship product, the SuperTurbo™, is a mechanically driven turbocharger that integrates the functionalities of a supercharger and a turbocompounder into a single device. It utilizes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a planetary traction drive, a technology developed by NASA, which employs smooth rollers and a special fluid to manage the extremely high rotational speeds of a turbocharger. This system allows for precise control over the turbo shaft's speed, enabling the engine to receive the optimal amount of air pressure on demand. A key benefit is the significant reduction of turbo lag, which improves engine responsiveness, particularly at low speeds. At higher engine speeds, the technology captures excess exhaust energy and directs it back to the engine's crankshaft as mechanical power, a process known as turbocompounding, which enhances overall fuel efficiency.

Throughout its history, the company secured multiple rounds of funding to advance the commercialization of its technology. In February 2012, it raised $8 million in a Series C round, followed by another $15 million in April 2014. Further funding was raised in late 2016. VanDyne also engaged in strategic collaborations, including a project with the U.S. Army starting in 2010 and a partnership with Allison Transmission in 2016 to develop a vehicle demonstrator for Class 8 tractors. In 2020, SuperTurbo Technologies appointed Ricardo Performance Products to assist with the industrialization and manufacturing planning for the SuperTurbo system. The company has been recognized for its work, receiving a Frost & Sullivan New Product Innovation Award in 2012.