Via:
Rev Up Fuel Efficiency Design Contest - Engineering TV
Too bad ecomodders didn't know about this in advance!
Quote:
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Infineon and Auto Electronics magazine sponsored the Rev Up Fuel Efficiency Design Contest, where engineers took the "green challenge" to design a solution using Infineon products that enables or improves energy efficiency for automotive applications. The goal: increase the car fleet fuel efficiency from today's 26.6 mpg to 35 mpg by 2012.
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1st place:The Smart Driving Manager
Submitted by Kahmin Teh
Provides real-time data to dramatically reduce engine idle time and braking losses in urban driving
The Smart Driving Manager utilizes signals from stoplights and other traffic sensors to provide real-time information to allow drivers to determine when to completely stop the engine, as well as how to control driving patterns. This allows the driver to control the amount of time the engine is idling wastefully, reducing urban fuel consumption dramatically.
(A variation on a system Audi has been talking about: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...uter-5218.html )
2nd place:Exhaust gas electrical assist for hybrid vehicles
Submitted by Ed Reilly
Uses exhaust gas to turn a generator in a hybrid vehicle, reducing the engine load and the time the engine needs to activate
The turbocharger is connected to a generator or alternator to help recharge the electrical system. Exhaust gas pressure & electrical system are both monitored to optimize system control for best performance.
3rd place:Dynamic cylinder deactivation with residual heat recovery
Submitted by Yuanping Zhao
Improves on traditional cylinder deactivation by balancing the thermal load of the engine and reducing overall operating temperature
Cylinder deactivation is a proven method of conserving fuel and reducing CO2 emissions under cruising conditions. It has been adopted by most OEM's and is used in the marketplace today. Dynamic cylinder deactivation improves on the traditional approach by balancing the thermal load in the engine. Using microprocessors, the cylinders are deactivated in an intermittent and balanced method, as opposed to only deactivating particular cylinders. The thermal load is also balanced by using alternate cylinders, which allows the engine to work at a lower overall temperature. This leads to better engine performance, improved fuel economy, and lower NOx emissions.
See also:
Rev Up Fuel Efficiency (results not yet posted as of Oct 31, 2008).