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Old 09-13-2011, 11:20 PM   #21 (permalink)
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Argonne labs is working on an IC engine with the goal of reaching 60% thermal efficiency.
Once you throw out all the stops, prejudices, and REALLY look at what works and what doesn't you may be very, very surprised at what becomes the reality of the future.

I still feel the engine design of my first patent application, in 2004, has the potential to reach Argonnes goals. With a hydraulic system you can focus on a very narrow range of BSFC and totally eliminate the rest of the map with an all or nothing strategy, which makes optimizing efficiency much easier when you only have to accomplish it in a very narrow RPM range.

I like throttle less, with additional power supplied by some form of supercharging or turbocharging to allow for sustained higher power levels to address long grades and other extreme power demands.

When you disconnect the engine from directly driving the wheels the operational strategy requirements change completely.

regards
Mech

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