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> From: Karl Kromer <karlk@ssl.berkeley.edu>
> To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
> Subject: DML: Future for trucks (longish)
> Date: October 15, 1997 01:30 PM
>
> This huge 5 sp vs Auto debate got me thinking about what trucks will be
> like in 10 or 15 years. Toyota just started marketing the first hybrid
car
> ready for consumers. Gets in the 60mpg range. If it is like the hybrid
> prototypes I've seen, it has NO transmission, but the smaller-than-normal
> engine drives a generator. Then there is a direct drive motor to power
the
> wheels, and a small set of batteries to provide extra "oomph" for
> accelerating. The idea here is that a 175hp engine cruising down the
> freeway at only 15 hp is very inefficient. However, a 50 hp engine doing
> the same is much more efficient, and the batteries (or newer "flywheel
> batteries" being developed) provide the extra hp needed to accelerate
> briskly. Once you're cruising, the computer control keeps the engine at
> whatever power setting is needed to maintain your speed and top-off the
> battery charge.
>
> I've often wondered how well my Dakota would work if I pulled the tranny
(I
> have an auto, used to have a Dak 5sp), transfer case, and drive shafts
and
> put an electric motor on each diff. The tranny would be replaced with a
> generator. This setup would be the same as in a modern diesel-electric
> locomotive. Far simpler and reliable than any mechanical transmission
> system (as much as I hate to say that since I'm a mechanical engineer).
You
> could even install a few batteries and have the first 1/4 travel of the
> brake pedal engage a regenerative braking system (where the drive motors
> become generators and charge the batteries, thus recovering the energy
> instead of wasting it as heat from the normal brakes). Obviously, this
> would require a control system of some sort, but GM's electric car and
> probably the new Toyota use this system. Better yet would be a drive
motor
> for each wheel, but that'd be much harder to do as a "conversion".
>
> One problem I've thought about with a fully "hybrid" truck, is when you
are
> towing up long hills. If you only had 50hp for an engine, you'd be going
> awfully slow once the batteries/flywheels had expended all their energy.
> Still, I think an electric powertrain with a normal-sized engine might be
> the way to go.
>
> For cars, however, there are going to be some major changes in the next
10
> years. Rosen motors (Rosen is CEO of Compac) is developing a
> turbine/flywheel hybrid, and has a working Saturn with this drive train.
> The turbine is only 20-30 hp (educated guess, it might be different),
with
> one moving part, and can run off of just about any fuel. The flywheel
> battery system is the most complex, but they have solved most of the
> problems (like how to safely contain a rotor spinning at 60k rpm in case
of
> an accident). I think they're getting in the 100mpg range, and it drives
> (accelerates) as well as a normal Saturn.
>
> So, you loyal 5sp owners who "love" to drive a stick. Enjoy it while you
> can. Electric drive systems don't need gears!
>
> -Karl
Hi Karl you should check out the new Motor Trend (this is the one with the
Darango on the cover)
there is an aetical about Toyota's gas electric car they are working on,the
stuff on the Darango ain't half bad too.
Bye for now Bruce
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