COMPANY HISTORY

In 1995, the engineers at Raven began developing a completely new approach to generating AC power from variable-speed power sources such as wind and water. The resulting innovation, protected by a series of patents, produces a pure sine wave from a variable-speed source without traditional inverters or converters.  Instead, Raven uses an approach we call Soft Commutation™, accomplishing its wave-shaping work in the low power control electronics. The result is far more efficiency and reliability than current inverter-based systems.

With support from the US Army, Raven set to work to develop its initial application, providing no-fuss, reliable, mobile electric power. Product development through field demonstrations was supported by a series of SBIR grants from the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization supplemented by private capital. In 2002, Raven received a Development Award from the Maine Technology Institute and raised additional private capital to support product testing and commercial launch of the Blackbird™ generating unit.

This compact, lightweight unit fits under the hood without altering the existing charging system and can be installed in a wide range of emergency, construction and utility vehicles. The Blackbird™ provides 60Hz 120 VAC power regardless of engine speed and without the costs or limitations of inverter systems.