Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Mechanic
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
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There won't be a 100% improvement for a ~$3000-$4000 premium over a BE hybrid AFAIK.
The
BE hybrids have already proven to be successful. UPS ordered 200 of 'em, so the proof is in the pudding IMO. I've been hearing about hydraulic hybrids since 2006, and UPS is supposedly testing them too, but they haven't caught on like the BEs have AFAIK. Time will tell I suppose, but if UPS ordered 200 BE hybrids after testing, but no hydraulic hybrids after testing, I have a feeling the BE hybrid is a better deal. Barring of course UPS not being done w/ the hydraulic hybrids or something else preventing them from getting good data to compare both.