Electric superchargers with promise - Page 2 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

dcb · 11-28-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winkosmosis

It's not like turbo charging doesn't also draw amps. It's a myth that a turbo scavenges free energy. Adding more backpressure with a turbine causes the piston to have a harder time moving up.

There is also additional pressure pushing down on the pistons on intake, and you have to consider the temperature drop across the turbine as well as the pressure drop when considering the energy recovered by a turbo.

Considering the fact that you can get the same power out of a smaller engine, yes, it is more efficient. If you reclaim exhaust energy to pack more fuel/air into an existing engine then it probably is NOT going to be more efficient.

But there is energy to reclaim in the exhaust and a turbine is a contemporary method of reclaiming it, as in the exhaust powered alternator, or the turbo compound engine
Controlled Power Technologies... TIGERS

cfg83 · 11-28-2009, 01:52 PM

winkosmosis -

Quote:

Originally Posted by winkosmosis

It's not like turbo charging doesn't also draw amps. It's a myth that a turbo scavenges free energy. Adding more backpressure with a turbine causes the piston to have a harder time moving up.

The "hybrid" version uses about 200 Amps but says that a hybrid battery pack can absorb it :

Super Power Charger :: Green-Air MPG Supercharger :: Green-Air Hybrid Supercharger

Quote:

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One of the wonderful aspects of an electric supercharger is; hybrid already produce plenty of electricity to power it!
...
Each patent pending SPC Green-Air Hybrid features:
Twin opposed 108amp ultra high speed brushless motors able to handle 12 volts – 24 volts, no load rpm per volt is 4,000 or 12v = 48,000 no load RPM - up to – 24v = 96,000rpm, resistance is a mere 0.0034 and they operate with extreme efficiency.
...
Twin high amperage ultra low resistance computers to control the twin motors, 200amp constant and 230amp burst, both encased in our patent pending full aluminum cooling box injected with moisture free gas.
...

CarloSW2

bestclimb · 11-28-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesqf

Except then you have the same problems as with drafting: you've got to keep 100% alert, or you're under the truck :-)

Imagine instead a telescoping/articulated arm with an electromagnet on the end. Come up behind a truck at cruising speed, extend the arm, flick the switch, and suddenly your fuel consumption drops to just what's needed to power the magnet.

If you wanted to get slick, you could even build in a shock absorber for a more comfortable ride.

5th gear, fuel cut off coasting to keep the battery charged while attached?

You could attach a trailer brake switch to the arm to activate your brakes when the truck slows down.

Bicycle Bob · 11-28-2009, 03:47 PM

I think that an electric supercharger has considerable potential, since it could spend most of its time as a substitute throttle plate, generating power. Ideally, it would be combined with variable valve timing and, especially, a variable combustion chamber volume to maintain charge density at ignition. One could get excellent efficiency and smoothness across a wide range of outputs.

You don't really need anything as obvious as a magnetic fingertip to draft at near zero clearance. The sonar rangefinder from a camera should do fine.

Christ · 11-28-2009, 09:11 PM

Wow, you guys really took that one to the ends....

jamesqf · 11-28-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob

You don't really need anything as obvious as a magnetic fingertip to draft at near zero clearance. The sonar rangefinder from a camera should do fine.

I don't think that's nearly as good. To get it to work at all, you'd need to interface with throttle & brakes so as to station-keep - and what if the semi you're auto-drafting on has better brakes than you?