by vaseline2008 » Fri 02 May 2008, 20:40:51
I think some are mis-understanding. The addition of new ideas/concepts to an already existing product is really what this is all about. Take for example the radio, over time we have added media players (tape decks, CD players, etc...) and "enhanced" it. This is just another one of those things...to make the existing product "better".
One other thing that one can not ignore is that change happens gradually, not overnight. The invention of the CD didn't mean we all bought CD players and threw out our Cassette Tapes (some of you probably don't even know what this is let alone an "8-track"). There was a time when TVs didn't have remotes. This is just another example of "trying to make it better", I say more power to them. Let's review some points:
1. The storage cylinders that get compressed upon braking will offer resistance of some sort - this helps in slowing down the vehicle in addition to the brakes. This means less wear on the entire braking system (ever have to replace your brakes on your car?)
2. Additonal weight due to the added "parts" can be offset by a smaller engine which uses less fuel.
3. The most amount of fuel is used to "accelerate" a vehicle up to cruising speeds. Doesn't GM offer some system where the 8 cylinder engine shuts off 4 of the cylinders to improve fuel economy during cruising speeds? From what I know garbage trucks very seldom do any sort of highway driving, mostly door-to-door neighborhood service. Remember (with the exception of some current hybrid models) that City mileage always is less than HWY mileage claims on cars. This is the "300%" (3x, 10mpg v 30mpg) improvement.
4. Here in Southern California, our freeways are pretty much "stop and go" most of the day...only hours where there is "no traffic" is sometime between 3am and 6am. The rest of the day is "Rush Hour".
5. This idea was NOT intended to get rid of the ICE, just help the current situation, kind of like what Hamburger Helper does for your bland hamburger meat.
Proponents of this system claim that 80% of the kinetic energy is re-claimed, however with a "smart transmission" system that would optimize the gear ratio, during braking it would be in "high" gear and during acceleration it would be in "low" gear, that may help improve the efficiency of the system even in spite of the fact that adding more components to any system weighs it down and therefore loses efficiency.
Now if this "pressurized drive" system is coupled with an electric car (preferably the Tesla), the ICE may be eliminated.
Now for the kicker - does anyone know what happens to a tank that is pressurized to 3000psi and it explodes? Afterall, we do get in car accidents...