Quote:
Originally Posted by bbraden
What about if you used a motor exactly like your wheels motors to run the accesories such as alternator, AC, power steering pump/vacuum pump? This way it could run when needed (say controlled by the voltmeter or A/C switch) so that you could also have peak efficiency of those parts also. You wouldn't have to have an A/C clutches this way and it would only use the exact amount of power it would need. They could even be direct coupled this way with the variable speed hydraulic motor.
I love your idea... but I have a few suggestions like this that I think will make it better.
Instead of a normal engine like you're talking about, what about a free piston engine? One with combustion on one side and hydraulic fluid on the other to provide a pumping action. Known for their efficiency capabilities, it could run on any fuel.
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No AC clutches. The ac unit would be more like a household window unit that was plug and play. A self contained mini window unit that would be capable of keeping you cool in a two hour traffic jam where you may only move a couple of miles.
As far as a free piston engine that directly generated hydraulic pressure I agree with you completely. Once you have an operational vehicle platform, where the engine is the pressure generation component, then you can simply change the engine and directly compare the overall efficiency.
This way there are no emission control considerations. I am not saying the free piston engine, or any other non standard configuration would not be an evolutionary improvement, just more of a "get her done" attitude that would produce a working vehicle. A gasoline engine at 35% or a diesel at 42% would be easily superseded by a 55% efficient free piston engine.
Argonne labs is working on designs for engines with a goal of 60% energy conversion efficiency. I think the direct hydraulic free piston configuration (suggested by EPA at least 5 years ago) will be a definite contender. If the gas version will average 80 MPG, the diesel should do 100 and the free piston would come close to 130. That is exactly what Ingo Valentin claimed for his hydraulic hybrid over a decade ago.
regards
Mech