Quote:
Originally Posted by roflwaffle
IIRC the biggest issue w/ hydraulic hybrids was cost. They can improve FE in the city by ~40% or so, but I don't think that's worth a $3000-$4000 premium versus a BE system that improves city FE by ~30%.
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You should check out the link, the improvement was 100%.
Mass produced accumulators would not be as expensive as the previously mentioned power train components that would no longer be necessary.
The design I propose would be no more expensive than the brake components it would replace.
In fact if you dedicate the thought process to a hydraulic hybrid, you could incorporate structural components of the unibody as accumulators. An example would be the front crossmember that supports the suspension components. A perfect place for an acumulator.
When understood properly the cost would be LESS than a conventional powertrain and the total vehicle parts count about 25% lower than conventional with a corresponding reduction in total vehicle cost.
Also life expectancy would be superior to anything made today, whether conventional, hybrid, or electric.
Per wheel unit manufacturing cost would be about $100 each. You would never have to do another brake job in 500k miles, and by then most of the rest of the car would be disintegrating.
Imagine a Pontiac solstice (hydro formed tubular frame) where the frame itself was the accumulator and low pressure storage, with suspension components doing double duty as hydraulic conduits.
Add 4 wheel drive with good traction tires. Acceleration at the limits of adhesion of all 4 wheels simultaneously.
regards
Mech