AirFlow Truck Company StarShip Aero

[Frank Lee]

I said I didn't like the doors?

[Shepherd777]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I said I didn't like the doors?

Well, not exactly. But you did question our use of materials, construction, and engineering. So I just wanted to state the reasoning for doing it like we did it.

Don't wanna fight.

Again this is a working concept vehicle, which is kinda a contradiction in terms to begin with. One of our many design parameters is to display stuff that nobody has seen, and push the envelope regarding materials and construction.

[freebeard]

Have you looked at basalt fiber? Basalt Guru - Your source for basalt information and products

[seifrob]

May I ask you about your engine choice? Althought 5 kW of electric power is surely helpful, I assume it will be used mainly to power onboard appliances - and the drivetrain looks quite conventional to me (but than, i am not an expert). Does it mean you have - at least for now - abandoned the idea of hybrid truck - or am I missing baterry rack holders somewhere in the frame??

(just curious, I am still convinced that in the long run hybrid is more hassle than benefit - at least in the trucking industry)

[Shepherd777]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Have you looked at basalt fiber? Basalt Guru - Your source for basalt information and products

Hey freebeard - No, I have never heard of that stuff but it looks pretty cool. It would seem that it would be most applicable in a heat/fire sensitive area like a firewall. We have a light gauge steel firewall behind our carbon fiber firewall.

Originally Posted by seifrob

May I ask you about your engine choice? Although 5 kW of electric power is surely helpful, I assume it will be used mainly to power onboard appliances - and the drivetrain looks quite conventional to me (but than, i am not an expert). Does it mean you have - at least for now - abandoned the idea of hybrid truck - or am I missing baterry rack holders somewhere in the frame??

(just curious, I am still convinced that in the long run hybrid is more hassle than benefit - at least in the trucking industry)

We have a brand new prototype 2017 Cummins Arcadia 15L ISX ICE that was installed just this week. As a matter of fact, the rolling chassis just got back to my shop from having the new engine installed at the local Cummins distributor yesterday afternoon. The prototype ISX is 400 hp and 1850 ft. lbs. of torque. The tractor drivetrain is quite conventional, including an 18 speed Eaton Automated (not automatic) Manual Transmission, or AMT.



Yes, the solar farm just charges a 48 volt battery bank mounted on the tractor. That bank will power our dual 48 volt all-electric A/C compressors and all cab power loads.

This is indeed a hybrid vehicle. The trailer is hybridized and has a 300 hp Remy electric traction motor, that has no operational relationship to the trailer solar farm. So we will have 700 total hp, and about 2450 total ft. lbs. of torque. I cannot elaborate on the details of the hybrid trailer at this time other than to say it is an E-assist. It assists when climbing inclines and it uses regenerative charging while descending the grades.

[freebeard]

I haven't worked with basalt, but deejaaa ordered some samples in 2014: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post437859


I call you attention to: Impacting our World - Basalt Fibers & Nanotechnology - Basalt Guru.

We have recently joined the fray and had bobbins of our fine 9 micron basalt rovings impregnated with graphite nanotubes and some secret sauce. The results were astonishing. Going from psi to megapascal test results. Which means the performance of the basalt fiber fabrics under impact and load testing was many times improved.

I suspect this would generalize to fiberglass and carbon fiber as well.


So, no big fat power cable between the tractor and van? Cool.

[deejaaa]

Originally Posted by freebeard

I haven't worked with basalt, but deejaaa ordered some samples in 2014: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post437859
......... Cool.

still haven't done anything with it yet.

Originally Posted by Nickgri

Our basalt volcanic rock fibers and fabrics are super strong and light yet take impact and not shatter like carbon while costing much less and handle hundreds of degrees hotter temps than fiberglass. 401-481-8422

wow, a SPAM sales call! hang up..........

[freebeard]

Nickgri -- You followed me here? Cool.

I hope you're prepared to answer questions. We have a subforum called Saving at Home that might be appropriate for the fireproof and insulative paints.

Basalt is insulative and so might have application as the substrate for the plasma generators we all look forward to.

[freebeard]

deejaaa -- Apparently Nickgri is a little thin-skinned; his post count is now 0 (zero).

I was hoping to learn a few things; maybe I'll call the phone number he offered.

Back on topic; sort of. I don't know where to put this:


http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/this-trailer-is-like-a-virtual-reality-headset-for-a-tr-1768360301

The new “test sled” can put 181 percent more drag on the truck it’s hooked up to than the last one Ford used, and can simulate an incredibly steep 30 percent uphill grade.

Ford explains that the trailer basically works by running a series of energized electrical coils that act like an enormous magnet. This puts a pulling force of 5,620 pounds on the truck’s drawbar to create the conditions of a climb under load.

A roundabout way of saying regen.

[aerohead]

Did a decimal point slip?
Awesome rig!Glad to know your still out there rockin' it.