YGK Developing Hybrid System

Japanese manufacturer YGK has designed a hybrid system that could debut as early as next year. (en Français)

Developed jointly by Professor Yoshimasa Hayashi, the 2011 winner of the Spirit of Le Mans award, and the YGK, the system has continued development, despite some delays.

Patents for the L-SHV system, which utilizes the recovery of exhaust fumes, have been filed by Hayashi and Mashiro Yamasaki, the President YGK, and has been through successful dyno testing.

Hayashi was responsible for the Tokai University Courage LC70 YGK at Le Mans in 2008. He was also the head of the competition department at Nissan Motorsports from 1990-94, which included victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona with the Nissan R91 and titles in IMSA GTP and sports prototype in Japan.

The 75-year-old professor left Tokai University but has been busy with other projects, including his obsession of returning to Le Mans. However, the innovative project could be first be seen in the Asian Le Mans Series later next year.

“The L-SHV is unlike the Audi R18 or the 2014 F1 ERS-H, and it simply can be put on a [normally aspirated] engine,”  YGK engineer Yuji Tachikawa explained. “It is not as complex as other hybrid systems, I imagine. On the other hand, it makes quite lots of energy that can be used for any electric power source on a car required, and it can supply energy any time when the [internal combustion] engine runs.

“As a result of that, you do not have to store electricity into massive batteries or a flywheel when just only at braking zones. The SHV battery is very small, so just the energy flow is from a generator via the battery to the MGU. Of course, we need the energy storage on a battery, or a capacitor, from braking for the efficient energy management, but we can choose a battery that’s as small as possible.”

YGK has expressed interest in entering the Asian Le Mans Series with the LSHV system, but not until late 2014. Hybrid systems, however, are currently not allowed for LMP2, which could be an issue.

A decision has also not yet been made on the chassis, but the team is evaluating options from OnRoak Automotive and ORECA.