[QUOTE=jamesqf;135682]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Mechanic
No need for large grille openings with a smooth underside since their is no need for a power train.[\QUOTE]
Huh? Without a power train, it's not a hybrid. You're not going to manage to store enough energy hydraulically to even match a typical BEV range.
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Neither is a BEV, but who cares what terminology you choose to define it as long as it works. A HH would have two sources of power, accumulator and engine-motor so it falls into the definition of a hybrid, while a pure battery electric vehicle does not. Is that any reason to reject any configuration?
The criteria should be efficiency, not description.
James, this statement demonstrates the current attitude towards hydraulic hybrids versus BEVs.
Its sad that the BEV advocates want the HH advocates to play by their rulebook. In fact it may be that a combination of both technologies are the key to the success of the BEV itself (new rule book). The energy absorbed in regeneration can not be stored in the battery quickly enough. The return efficiency of a BEV would be in the range of 30% wheel to wheel. HH systems are shooting for over 80% and 85% is possible (currently high 70s).
It's also understood that even BEVs will need some form of transmission to improve efficiency and reduce the size of the primary electric motor drive as well as cost of the motor itself.
If you look at those facts objectively then you should be able to see that a smaller primary electric motor with some form of "gearing" will be necessary for a practical BEV. Also consider the HH eliminates the primary brake system, something not possible with any BEV. Trade the weight of the brakes the HH no longer needs for the in wheel drives and you only need an accumulators weight difference to have the HH configuration. Loose all the other no longer necessary power train components and the net weight loss would allow you to have a larger battery in a lighter vehicle.
You could use in wheel motors for the BEV, but they would weigh much more than in wheel HH IVTs.
Then combine that with the massive increase in regeneration efficiency and the ability to pulse and glide storage and the HH-BEV combination may actually be the pathway to success of any BEV vehicle. It sure seems like a smarter pathway than just sitting here waiting for the battery breakthrough technology to make it possible to have a practical 300+ mile range from a BEV.
The HH powertain platform also has the advantage of being easily convertible from IC power generation fro accumulator replenishment to BEV accumulator replenishment, using exchangeable power modules instead of the either-or complete vehicle option the is presently considered.
Not many people will fork over 25k+ for a range of 100 miles. Try putting just enough gas in your tank to have a 100 miles range. Then if you refill that tank you have to wait 6 hours to drive again. Even with quick charges it still does not seem very practical to me.
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Another thing you might want to think about. User interface design: you don't want your car's controls working differently than what is standard, so users have to learn to drive all over again. Look at the problems Toyota had just from replacing the standard ignition switch with a pushbutton, for instance, or what happens if you try putting me behind the wheel of an automatic :-)
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I think the go and slow gimballed pedals will actually be easier to work with than conventional systems. It is very similar to the current two pedal AT configuration.
Now as far as any individuals abilities with an AT vehicle, it is by a huge margin the most common system in operation today. Used every day by overstressed soccer moms, with 3 kids in the back, a cell phone in the ear, and numerous other possible distractions. No way you will ever get them to shift gears, that would be a disaster.
Personally I drive automatics with my right foot on the gas and my left foot just above the brake pedal. Not a recommended procedure, but for me it works fine and I have avoided some serious potential collisions by having that extra split second of reaction time. I am already driving that way.
regards
Mech