Monday 01 Sep 2014 @ 14:15
Technology Strategy Board
Technology Strategy Board
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Less is more - compressing for success at Lontra - Success Story
Air compressors are ubiquitous. They're behind the ‘whoosh' of a tube door and an integral part of fridges, cars and countless industrial processes. However, the technology hasn't changed for over half a century and they leave a lot to be desired when it comes to efficient energy use.
This insight was the start of Lontra's decade-long journey to develop a green, energy efficient, commercially viable compressor. Grant funding from Innovate UK, the new name for the Technology Strategy Board, is helping Lontra explore potential applications for its core technology, the Blade Compressor™.
"I've been fascinated with inventions and innovation since childhood - thanks to my father who worked at the National Physical Laboratory. But, as a non-engineer with a management consultancy background, I started in a different place to many inventors," Steve Lindsey, founder of Lontra said.
"Rather than building a ‘widget', I looked for a market where an innovative energy-efficient technology could cut costs and create a real step-change in performance," he added.
Simple is best
Patent research led him to air compressors. "Compressors account for 10% of Europe's industrial electricity use and every design gets something wrong, either the air leaks or it's not compressed properly," Steve continued.
Lontra's Blade Compressor™ is a compact, double acting rotary compressor. The circular mechanism compresses and induces air in a continuous motion, minimising wastage and can be used anywhere a traditional piston and cylinder model would be used.
"The design is simple - no magic materials or complex parts. It's reliable, durable and easy to manufacture. It's also easy to integrate into products and to scale up or down. It's a solution the Victorians could have made, if they had thought of it," Steve commented.
Grant funding from Innovate UK is helping Lontra explore potential applications.
