Automotive Design
vacuum pumps and seals typically associated with high-speed flywheel systems based on carbon fibre (Fig. 4). The lack of any mechanical coupling or other mechanical linkage through the system’s casing makes the Kinergy system a highly robust, compact and lightweight package that is suitable both for incorporation in designs and retrofitting to existing fleets. The range of potential Kinergy applications is significant, not least due to its projected comparatively low production costs. The technology is therefore highly suitable for use in road
vehicles where regenerative braking and torque assistance is employed as a means of improving efficiency - and hence reducing fuel consumption and CO2
emissions. Another technology offering potential benefits for
hybrid vehicles is the Range Extender developed by Lotus Engineering. In a series hybrid vehicle, the Range Extender engine is attached to a generator and provides a highly efficient energy source to power the electric motor directly or charge the vehicle’s battery. The battery can also power the electric
motor, which enables the design of a drivetrain that has low emissions, optimised performance and acceptable range. The Lotus Range Extender engine was developed as part of the Limo-Green project funded by the UK’s Technology Strategy Board, which is a collaboration between Lotus Engineering, Jaguar Cars, MIRA and Caparo Vehicle Technologies, demonstrating a large, lightweight, prestigious executive saloon with less than 120g/km CO2
emissions. The three-cylinder, 1.2-litre Range
Extender’s performance is optimised between two power generation points, giving 15kW of electrical power at 1500rpm and 35kW at 3500rpm via the integrated electrical generator. The engine uses an optimised two-valve port-fuel injection combustion system to reduce cost and mass and, in line with Lotus Engineering’s extensive research into renewable fuels, can be operated on alcohol-based fuels or gasoline.
Road trains: improving traffic flow?
Even highly efficient hybrid vehicles suffer losses when subjected to acceleration/deceleration cycles; the ideal would be to drive at a constant (preferably optimised) speed. As long as humans remain in control of individual vehicles there will be acceleration/deceleration cycles that could otherwise be avoided. One answer, therefore, is to use technology to take control of vehicles under certain favourable conditions. A new EU project Sartre (Safe Road Trains for the Environment) aims to develop and test technologies for vehicles that can drive themselves in road trains on motorways. As well as reducing fuel consumption and emissions, this has the potential to improve traffic flow and journey times, offer greater comfort to drivers and reduce accidents. Test cars equipped with this technology are due to be driven on test tracks as early as 2011. l
Fig. 4. Ricardo has devised Kinergy, a high- speed, hermetically-sealed flywheel kinetic energy storage system with an innovative magnetic gearing and coupling mechanism.
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