Parker Motor Powers Brammo's New Electric Race Bike

[Brammofan]

Press release by Brammo and Parker Hannifin:

Parker's GVM traction motors offer lower weight and higher power than Parker's previous motors.

Submitted on 08/24/12, 07:42 AM

Rohnert Park, CA, August 8, 2012 — Parker's Electromechanical Automaton Division, a leading supplier of PMAC motors, is proud to announce that its GVM series traction motor propelled the latest all-electric superbike built by Brammo Inc., a 100% clean-technology company, to more than 133 mph. The new-and-improved Empulse RR was unveiled July 28 at the Red Bull US Grand Prix at the Mazda Raceway in Laguna Seca, Calif., where a TTXGP North American joint round with FIM epower took place.

"The Brammo engineering team has outdone themselves again," says Jay Schultz, industry market manager for mobile products at Parker Hannifin. "In just a few weeks, they were able to rebuild their first Empulse RR, build a second one from the ground up and take both the #2 and #3 spots on the podium. Amazing!"

Parker Hannifin's newest PMAC motor for traction applications debuted in Brammo's two racing machines. Designed for the demanding applications found in today's electric and hybrid vehicles, Parker's GVM traction motors offer lower weight and higher power than Parker's previous motors. Parker's GVM motors include a redesigned stator and rotor, Parker's exclusive dual-cooling implementation, which features a patent-pending internal cooling technology, and much more. The GVM doubles both torque and power density, which is imperative in high-performance motor sports. Production units will be available in early 2013.

Brian Wismann, Brammo's director of product development adds, "It was a real up and down weekend for Team Icon Brammo, but the bikes performed flawlessly when it mattered most: on race day. The team was really impressed with Parker's commitment to get us a new PMAC motor for not one but two bikes in time for the race. Although this was the first running of the GVM 210 motor, we were really happy with the out-of-the-box power and performance. We came away knowing there's even more potential to be harnessed from these brilliant motors in future races."

The next race in the TTXGP North American Championship Series is scheduled for August 31 – September 2 at Miller Motorsport Park.

[protomech]

Parker has some blurbs here:
http://www.parkermotion.com/parkerracing/

Bike Name: 2013 Brammo Empulse RR
Chassis: Brammo Empluse [sic] RR
Battery: Brammo Power
Energy Storage: 14kWh
Motor: Parker Hannifin's GVM PMAC Traction Motor
Horsepower Equivalent: 173hp
Controller: Rinehart PM100
Weight of race ready bike: 220kg

14 kWh is up from 12.6 kWh last year, I think.

Rinehart makes some $$$$$ controllers, supposed to be the best in the business. PM100 is rated at 100 kW peak, less than the GVM motor's peak of 130 kW. Not sure if they have a special controller, they're running the controller out of spec, or if they just don't need more than 100 kW.

220kg = 485 lbs. Last year's bike is claimed to weigh 35 lbs more, at 520 lbs.