A long-cherished wish of Josef Frauscher came true a few months ago: a collection of exhibits, developments, inventions and experiences from more than 50 years of professional and entrepreneurial activity. Everything worth preserving that had influenced the entrepreneur’s private and business development over the years found a place in the 250 m² space. Thanks to the active support of his marketing employee Brigitte Iglseder with bilingual labelling and graphic design, an atmosphere was created that gives visitors interested in technology insights into largely unknown applications from the fields of electronics, electrical engineering, hydraulics and mechanical engineering.

Spatially structured: vintage cars, sensor technology and Stirling engines

While some motorcycles, cars and tractors mark a personal, nostalgic connection to his youth, the electronics section reveals a product strategy that is difficult to understand at first glance, but which ultimately led to the later railway technology company Frauscher Sensortechnik. On closer inspection, however, it quickly becomes clear that a simple oscillating circuit coil forms the core element of a large number of inductive devices. Garage door remote controls, inclinometer for hydropower dams (suspended and floating levels), radio proximity systems for traffic light controls, unloading controls for bulk goods wagons and devices for reliable position reporting of switch tongues are just a few examples. The same coil element was also used in a wheel sensor for detecting railway wheels, a development that became a great success in conjunction with track vacancy detection systems.

A separate division is dedicated to the research and development of Stirling generators.

Ten prototypes developed, manufactured and extensively tested according to the alpha, beta and gamma principles testify to the tough course of engine research since the project started in 2001. ‘At the time, we planned to enter the market within 5-6 years, but that didn’t happen. It was only with the invention of alphagamma® technology that we achieved a breakthrough in 2018,’ Josef Frauscher notes in retrospect, discussing in detail the technical difficulties that had to be overcome. Those who want to delve deeper into the subject matter will receive a clear explanation of why the new technology only has a third of the piston forces of comparable products, how the equal-volume to equal-pressure process works, and why the alphagamma® process is not a Stirling process but an Ericsson piston process.

A museum tour usually concludes with a visit to the engine test benches in the technical centre building of Frauscher Motors GmbH. ‘Our customers naturally have priority when it comes to enquiries. However, we are also delighted to welcome groups with an interest in technology, to whom we offer guided tours depending on availability,’ says Josef Frauscher, who looks forward to welcoming more visitors to his museum.