View Single Post
Old 07-14-2009, 07:10 PM   #2 (permalink)
Xringer
Old Retired R&D Dude
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Woburn Mass USA
Posts: 702

Little Red - '12 Toyota Prius c 2 Two
90 day: 57.82 mpg (US)

"Whitey" Bulger - '14 Toyota RAV4 LE
Thanks: 10
Thanked 18 Times in 17 Posts
Watts

Quote:
Originally Posted by Quiz View Post
Sorry as this will be slightly off tread... it is about drag and utilizing it to get better mpg though. Has anyone heard of the windbelt (humdinger)? I was thinking that it might be possible to utilize a windbelt on the back end of your car in an area of turbulence to supplement a hybrids electrical power. I got the idea while watching the myth busters mpg show with the ford trucks with the tail gates down episode. As they demonstrated a circular airflow in the bed of the truck. if such an airflow could be utilized to power 5 windbelts and gain a 5w output per windbelt for a total of 25w what would that equate to in terms of mpg for the car? i suppose its an incremental change really...


Those watts have to come from somewhere, and since the car is moving,
making wind as it were.. Those belts will add drag.

Will that drag on the ICE be equal to the wattage gained?
Nope, the conversion losses will eat it up some.

Want some free power, add an aerodynamic solar PV panel..
__________________
Cheers,
Rich

Current ride: 2014 RAV4 LE AWD (24 MPG)

Wife's Pizza Transporter
  Reply With Quote