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The University work proved the concept.
By building a practical vehicle capable of use for daily transportation, I will have absolute proof of the efficiency of the design.
Lets look at the 5 types of vehicle operation:
1. Idling:
Idling accounts for 13% of the total fuel consumption of the US vehicle population.
RIDE eliminates idling altogether.
2. Acceleration:
Acceleration is the only time during vehicle operation where the engine approaches maximum efficiency. RIDE utilizes deceleration forces to accomplish acceleration, When you slow down, for whatever reason the energy normally lost is recovered and reapplied for acceleration.
3. Constant speed driving:
While best mileage can be obtained with constant speed driving, it is not very efficient since you have to throttle the engine to reduce power and maintain speed. RIDE will cycle the engine on and off, at peak BSFC, to maintain a constant speed using the accumulator and infinitely variable drive to apply the precise amount of power to the wheels to maintain any constant speed.
4. Coasting:
This is where most cars are fairly efficient, but only if you turn the engine off. RIDE coasts automatically, using the neutral position in the drive, so it matches engine off coasting without any driver input whatsoever, other than choosing an accelerator position that makes the vehicle coast.
5. Deceleration:
While deceleration can be accomplished by coasting, which is very efficient, engine braking, or friction brake braking both are terrible wastes of energy. RIDE recaptures the energy otherwise wasted in engine braking or friction braking, by using decelerative forces to replenish accumulator pressure, thus reliving the engine of the job. This is actually the most significant reversal of losses in the whole process, going from a negative energy state to a positive one.
Too summarise:
Idling-eliminated
Acceleration-enhanced by using the prior decelerative act to reapply energy for acceleration.
Constant speed-enhanced efficiency by cycling the engine on and off at max BSFC while applying only the amount of energy necessary to maintain a constant speed. This doubles the engines efficiency at providing power to the wheels, since no throttle restriction is used to control power to the wheels.
Coasting-the only stage of operation where the conventional vehicle would match RIDE's efficiency, BUT only if you shut off the engine in the conventional vehicle. RIDE operates automatically with only an accelerator position input from the driver.
Deceleration-This is the most significant improvement. Any deceleration by engine or friction braking wastes energy dearly paid for previously. Instead of throwing it away, RIDE recovers that same energy for future application.
Now lets consider the other major factor, cost.
RIDE eliminates many systems in a normal car. The power train consists of an accumulator, hydraulic lines, and in wheel drives. In a normal vehicle the parts that are necessary to accomplish the same function constitute close to 30% of the total vehicle parts count.
Follow a schematic of your vehicle, from the flywheel to the wheels, including the friction brakes. Add to this the induction system controls necessary for controlling engine power output.
Take all of that out and throw it away!
Cheaper to build by a significant margin, while providing close to double the overall efficiency. The least expensive to manufacture vehicle on the planet, with the best efficiency, as well as the complete elimination of many systems that require repair and maintenance. You want electric, just use a motor and battery. You want liquid fueled, just use an IC engine. You could easily swap one for the other depending on your trip length, or even carry both. Without the peak energy demands of acceleration engine size would be determined by the maximum sustained loads encountered, but regardless of the engines size, the power producing cycle would use the same total amount of power, achieved at only best BSFC, regardless of the engines size. Big engines would run less time, small engines would run longer, but both would produce the same amount of power to match the average total demand of the vehicle. The only penalty with the larger engine would be its weight.
Build a better aerodynamic body and the RIDE power train automatically compensates for the reduced overall energy demand.
The purpose of the vehicle is to clearly demonstrate the overall effectiveness of the rotary hydraulic in wheel drive, by allowing a passenger to monitor fuel consumption by the ounce (128 per gallon) as you operate the vehicle.
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