Range extender : thoughts

Back to cars and technology which are of my very basic interests.

Last day i was in search for what is the difference between a low rpm engine and a high rpm engine. A big of Google search reveled that low rpm engines are very efficient. The problem with them are when they are used in applications which requires higher rpm output the gear design gets complicated. So there is more chances of transmission failures and more complex transmission control is required.

One solution people used in locomotives was the Diesel-electric transmission. The idea was to power electric motors are electric motors are 70+% efficient and run a diesel generator to power the electric motor. This save a lot on transmission design and was efficient because the diesel generator was designed to run and its peak efficiency all times.

As we are now running for series hybrids like Chevy volt. I think this technology may fit to trucks better than cars.

Reasons :

Trucks need better torque and electric motors provide this.

We have more control over electricity and we have more control.

Trucks doesn't need full power all times. They need power when they work. All other times it runs mostly in a commuter mode.

So if a truck is equipped with a range extender EV technology the advantage are

• Better torque
• We can use the generator at work sites when we are out of power
• Can scale on power out put of generators for power required for a work ( ex: can have profiles like commuter, work - light, medium and heavy etc - The idea on the above is replacing transmissions with generating only the power required for a profile and save the energy by running at sweet spots for max efficiency and power outputs.
• Less complexity in design and less wear and tear.
• More efficiency as we use only required power for a situation.
• Can use the most efficient designs ( ex: use low rpms, high efficiency constant rpm / multiple sweet spot designs and in case of electric motors newer designs with multiple on demand windings to get max efficiency and power on demand )
• As are using electricity as we can make use of the regenerative mechanisms to generate electricity and use them.
• We can use buffer mechanisms like ultra capacitors to store energy as

a) Store regenerated energy
b) As a supplement energy for peak energy needs.
c) As a buffer to keep energy
d) As an abstraction to cover the start stop nature vehicle application and can use technologies which doesn't have the start stop nature support.

So Lets expect new applications which is based on the range extender applications which are energy efficient.

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The power of abstractions

Child is the father of man :- its a great saying because while playing with my kid , lot times, i learn a lot.

I work with computers for a long time, but never thought how the art of typewriting came in. Last day while playing with kid, he was asking me to do stamping, and then we did it on different patterns. Then i was talking to wife about Chinese and English languages where Chinese consists of words and not alphabets. I told they have a problems with new words. Wife told it may be really tough to remember all the words.

Then i started thinking, all the key board may started as stamping in a sequence. But what may be the requirement ? different hand writing ?, standardizing the handwriting ? may be. But i am sure people wont be able to do sequence stamping faster than a person writing.

Then somebody came up with an abstraction for sequence stamping - which is called as a key board - Some blog told key board was invented 52 times to reach the current state. Now who needs to think of sequence stamping ?

Time changed, the underlying mechanisms changed still the abstraction remained and found place in the new generation devices like computers.

Same is the case of world. Almost all primary skills changed but the abstractive skills remained. People learned the new abstractive skills and relayed on them for the existence. Then we create derivate abstractions from primary abstractions and the derivate abstraction creates new skills and we learn them and move ahead. Always news skills born then specializations happened and the derivative abstractions occurred. We found design patterns and new abstractions and created new skills. The cycle continues and we move ahead creating/learning and abstracting new skills.


The power of Abstraction leads us to development and new ways of life.

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hybrid concept ?? -cont ... fixed gears ( was 14 mode hybrid )

Decided the change the title of the from 14 mode hybrid ?? to hybrid concept as now we are going beyond the a 14 mode concept.

Today i was thinking on it a bit more and introduction of a fixed gears to hybrid system.

Use case ? Lets say we want to increase the tow capacity on a particular profile. The same Electric motor + ICE works but if the truck is going a steep - as per the previous theory , the entire load will shift to electric motors as speed decreases. So by introducing a fixed gear system, the load requirement gets supported by ICE and Electric motors which helps to add more weight capability.

So this can work across all profiles. The control system/software needs to decide which one is more efficient on below
1) to use another cylinder
2) a fixed gear.


So finally we are getting more clear to have a hybrid system concept where we use only required optimal energy for a particular use which helps to increase the overall efficiency.

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14 mode hybrid ?? -cont ... profiles

One of the major concern for a hybrid buyer is fuel economy. I found a nice way to tackle it in our hybrid concept by introducing profiles.

example:

• Commuter Profile
• Auto profile

The commuter profile makes the 5 cylinder engine to operate only 3 (or even 2 ) of its cylinders and use electric motors to support at extra power needs (similar to HSD/ BAS+ hybrid of GM ) which uses electric motor for low speeds, ICE at optimal rpm - gen, ICE at optimal rpm and ICE + electric motor for acceleration /up hills and regeneration at breaking.

The other idea is to support this profile with an aerodynamic canopy ( factory designed with canopy to have max aero effect on the optimal rpm /speed ) for better fuel efficiency.

So this takes off the worry daily commuter to have the truck or if truck is running long one side without any load and use the power only when its needed than running all cylinders all time. ( example a 3.7 ltr 5 cylinder engine, operating with 3 cylinder mode will have almost 2.22 ltr + electric motor power available - so it should offer better power and fuel economy than a 2.4 ltr 4 cylinder engined equinox ) . This should be good power for even 4 people drive + some loads ( remember equinox 2.4 ltr has a tow capacity of 1500 pounds.)

The Auto profile is to choose the ICE and electric motor combinations only according to the pre-programmed logic.

Its better to have more profiles to optimize the use resources more effectively ( like a medium mode ( 4 people / light load ) , tow mode ( fully loaded / tow ) etc.
1500

The base idea is like electric grid communication , use only optimal resources for any situation and save the rest. Organize the profiles in such a way to get maximum efficiency and allow to force to stick to some settings if needed.



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14 mode hybrid ??

Again thoughts on the above rendering

What engine option may be the best

I would love to have 3.7 ltr 5 cylinder direct injection rwd/4x4 hybrid - Only one ?? Yep Only one

When i say hybrid if you ask, - i don't know but i know it should have below modes

1) Electric only
2) 3 Cylinder
3) 3 Cylinder + electric motor
4 3 Cylinder + Generator
5) 3 Cylinder + electric motor + Generator
6) 4 Cylinder
7) 4 Cylinder + electric motor
8) 4 Cylinder + Generator
9) 4 Cylinder + electric motor + Generator
10) 5 Cylinder
11) 5 Cylinder + electric motor
12) 5 Cylinder + Generator
13) 5 Cylinder + electric motor + Generator
14) Regenerative mode ( on all times above modes and breaking etc )

so is it a 14 mode hybrid ?? ( 1+ 4 = 5 and 5 cylinder, so numerology matches ). May its better to put something like an 3 or a 5 (for numerology sake) letter acronym which can be pronounced easier.

One question may be why 5 cylinder : look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straight-five_engine for more details.


In practical tests may be "'x' Cylinder + electric motor + Generator" mode need to be reconsidered based on the efficiency it can achieve. But its all depends on the control logic which is programmed by a firmware to activate and use the mode. On a transmission design point, all the modes should be possible without further hardware change.

The ICE should be optimized for peak efficiency and fixed rpm range and rest all should be handled with the Electric motor/Generator . The transmission need to designed so that it can have a trans output as a function of ice rpm, Electric motor and Generator. The existing technologies which is used in the 2 mode system (like active fuel management ,variable valve timing,direct injection etc) should make this.


One update is to make more modes with introduction of turbo charging . The modes will be increased to around 23 modes (2 + 3 = 5 again another numerology works) - which should be able to reduce the 3.7 ltr engine to a 2.5 ltr engine ( still 5 cylinder )

If this can be done, i am sure the design can achieve a very high fuel economy without sacrificing any power and will be good in emissions as it runs in optimal way all the time/modes.


How GM can do it ? Optimizing the 2 mode system and use the existing 3.7 ltr engine which goes in H3/Colorado. What is takes its only some time ,experiment spirit and test. Its all existing resources and only what it takes is incremental update of system.


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2011 chevrolet colorado ??

Was looking for a colorado in craigslists. Found some models and them started search for user review comments.

To be true i saw a lot 2006 model comments which has problems. didnt get much comments on 2007 onwards. then i started wondering why. I went to wikipedia and check the below page.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Colorado

Looked on the sales numbers ,

Calendar Year	Colorado	Canyon	Total U.S. sales
2004[7]	117,475	27,193	144,668
2005[7]	128,359	34,845	163,204
2006[8]	93,876	23,979	117,855
2007[9]	75,716	20,888	96,604
2008[9]	54,346	14,974	69,320
2009[10]	32,413	10,107	42,520

It clearly showed me,why there impact of the reviews and sales numbers reflected it very well. If somebody from GM looked on this well, i am sure they would have understood what needed to be done and how they should have done incremental updates to it.

Finally i spend a bit time reading IIHS Crash tests and Chevolet colorados performace ( hits bottom ). I believe the new GM should have learned to have quality vehicles than cheap vehicles. So i decided to do a small contribution for a 2011 Chevolet colorado design. Its completely derived from the 2010 Equinox which will really help them to

1) Reduce costs by sharing parts with Equinox
2) Use Existing resources better than spending money for a full redesign ( old GM way was never update any vehicle, design, sell, again redesign sell - finally loose money and market ).
This will be a great incremental update for the Colorado.
3) As they can use the parts of Terrain for the GMC counter part
4) As This is derived they can use parts of existing platforms ( GMT 355 and use exterior and engine from Theta .Both are known ones they can minimize the test time and concentrate on tests than design.
5) It looks really better.

The rendered pic below :-)





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Foldable displays and Perzonal zones for car

I was going through the GMC granite design and found its nice to have 2 more additions

1) Fold-able displays for back seat.



Example is 2 display screens which are fold-able on on the sides of storage space between the front seats. This will help to have person sitting on back to have there on display screens and it does not harm when the seats are folded to cargo purposes. The backside of the storage space can have interfaces for the devices to connect ( ex: HDMI ) and power outlets

At some time when a big screen is need the screens can be place in a way so that they will act as a single screen which allows people to watch big screen stuff.

A more details explination of the concepts is at http://yankandpaste.blogspot.com/2010/01/foldable-display-concept-explained.html


Personal Zone concept :

This concept is an extension of the dual zone. With this concept all 4 seats in a car get one personal zone each. A personal zone consists of a multi touch display, and HDMI port to connect , A smart phone connector , a Bluetooth connection to a head set, HVOC controls ( software ) and setting etc. The car can have 2 personal zones at back and this can be extended to one front seat also without personal display ( he can use the centre console and share with driver as a display can distract the driver ). Other than the display all other comforts can be extended to the front seats. So every one can listen to the music they want and use the apps they like and have the HVOC setting they want without disturbing the other. Same time they should be able to use
the display as one and can watch/ use bigs creen. From every zone the people should be able to access the installed apps and control HVOC and other comforts.

Technically this is very feasible as new operating systems like Android/linux find place in the car systems.


I would like to keep the rights of personal zone idea ;-) as i didn't find this in any concepts/cars.

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More inspirations on the way

Found a couple more inspirations




1984 Chevrolet Citation IV



Ford probe IV and V







GM Precept


Seems it now time for govt to act. They have to follow/make similar model of japan on defining a class of cars where which gets insurance and tax breaks ( like kei cars ) so that companies can come forward, make business cases and design and sell new products !!

Its not because companies has ideas to innovate but its only because govt is not allowing them to go out of the box solutions and gives opportunity to sell them them.


My ideas on the new class definition is like for a start they should come up with parameters like

Min: 80 mpg ( from regeneration and optimizations - no external alternative energy supply )
4 wheeler ( 2 - 4 seats )
should pass min crash test ratings ( ex: 3 stars for frontal, side, rollover etc )
etc etc.

For plug-in rules should be different and the standards should be moving , like 120mpg on 2015 .. and must plugin-features and safety features.

this makes more people buy commuter cars which are very effective and takes less to maintain + develops new ways to find solutions for problems apart from electrification and allows use of other technologies like aerodynamics,regenerations etc to be in practice.

For GM Precept its nice to have visit on : http://www.electrifyingtimes.com/gmprecept.html
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My- Aero car thoughts and insperations

Seems i am using my time on vacation to draw pics :-) and getting the level of my kid. He seems to be drawing better too.

Today i was able to get a clear picture of an aero design from existing size requirements from a normal car.

Picture follows :-)




Even its easy to swap the engine space and boot space so that a RR (Rear-engine, rear-wheel drive) layout can be made from the above design. On other thoughts , Putting a hybrid power train may increase the fuel economy and EV ranges.

The basic idea is the reduce the frontal area - for CdA (mostly airfoiled frontal area and reduced the back area ) and increase/optimize the curves over top,down and sides to that they can contribute forward pull using aerodynamics. The top,sides and bottom curves seems much important as they can give resulting forward moving forces. The bottom (down part ) curve may help more to push to front and same time balance the extra down (vertical component ) of the force made by the top curve. Its also very important to optimize curves for max advantage of those parts without affecting the passenger comfort and utility space.

I took the base height, width and other ratios from a Volvo S70 (my current car which i like the space inside ) for the above model so that it can seat 5 comfortably and have enough space ( its not a small car now - its a 5 seat modern hatchback bigger than Toyota Prius).



To my wonder, Its really great to see some old models , Let me upload them also to get a pic of how people were thinking in old days.



1937 Pillsbug : CD of 0.13 6 -7 Passenger






1937 Maybach





Don't know the model info but looks EV1 was taken from this one.




1984 Chevrolet Citation IV concept





GM EV1






Mercedes-Benz bionic car

Links :

Ecomodder : 65+ tips : http://ecomodder.com/forum/fuel-economy-mpg-modifications.php


Cars to Emulate and Study: http://neilblanchard.vox.com/library/post/cars-to-emulate-and-study.html

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An HHR replacer ?

A bit paint, base picture of an ev innovations Wave and here we go

A Ute and a 5 passenger hybrid crossover ? .








My wife was saying the first name came to mind after seeing the pics is "AirBus" .Second name she told was "Rino".

Intial comments came : Proportions are not proper, The CUV looks like more a stretched limo. the UTE looks good other need proportions adjustments :-)


Wondering this suites well to replace the HHR than an Orlando :-)

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What is common ?

Check what is common on below pictures :-)

The 2 vehicle shapes are using same curves ( cut the fish, put black color and add 2 wheels )

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Return of Aztek

"I was in the audience at the Detroit auto show the day GM unveiled the Pontiac Aztek and I will never forget the gasp that audience made. Holy hell! This car could not have been more instantly hated if it had a Swastika tattoo on its forehead. In later interviews with GM designers — who, for decency's sake, will remain unnamed — it emerged that the Aztek design had been fiddled with, fussed over, cost-shaved and otherwise compromised until the tough, cool-looking concept had been reduced to a bulky, plastic-clad mess. A classic case of losing the plot. The Aztek violates one of the principal rules of car design: We like cars that look like us. With its multiple eyes and supernumerary nostrils, the Aztek looks deformed and scary, something that dogs bark at and cathedrals employ to ring bells (cf., Fiat Multipla). The shame is, under all that ugliness, there was a useful, competent crossover.

The above is from "The 50 Worst Cars of All time". Doest that deserve to be so ?

link:http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1658545_1658544_1658540,00.html

In my view, This is one reason for bad GM management. I am not talking that its a bad design, In my view it was bad management handling the design.

Why ?

The Aztek design was very easy to be gone through proper wind tunnel tests and would have been getting a lowest Cd value Which may have translated to a better mileage and better aerodynamics.

The management was not able to project/market this as a feature of Aztek. They never tired for a Version 2 of Aztek and get it done with a better aerodynamics, instead they made the people who initiated the project to drive the unsold cars and made fun. Do you think they don't deserve this bankruptcy ?

If the management was good, they should have come up with a V2 and a mild hybrid engine at that time (2002 thatz would not have been a big seller but i am sure if you have a theme , it would have been a hit in 2007 )and in course of time they should have made that design a full hybrid with better aerodynamics. If you look at prius, this is what the story says to us.

Again GM deserve to be back ? again the problem is they look for new ways to make failure. When they killed EV1 program, they never used the chassis again for ICE based car, they killed that also and they showed concepts of serial hybrids but they never worked on it.

link : http://www.autoworld.com/news/GMC/Series_Hybrid.htm

Now lets see Aztek will come back or not. I am sure it is going to come back.Once Gm will introduce a 2 mode Equinox or a 2 mode SUV, It will be Aztek based design because if its aerodynamic tail and curves.

Lets wait for return of Aztek

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