Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2007 04:42:20 -0700
Reply-To: Mark Keller <kelphoto@TELUS.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark Keller <kelphoto@TELUS.NET>
Subject: Hybrid Engine Conversion
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Hi gang,
With the question of making a hybrid a I'm a bit of a neophyte, but In
researching a hybrid install for a marine customer I came across a
couple of websites that explain to some of us why putting an electric
motor on a ICE, internal combustion engine, can actually improve the ICE
fuel mileage, and in course have beneficial effects on emissions. I've
summarized it below and included the websites at the bottom
The Basic benefiting principle is that ICE are not equally efficient at
converting fuel to usable work at all RPM ranges. Most efficient is at
combination of gearing, 75% throttle and RPM. Least efficient at idle
and anything less than 75% throttle. Hybrid Engine controllers
supplement the ICE with the electrical motor at the less efficient ICE
RPMs, and recover some of the electrical energy in braking and when at
efficient ICE RPMs.
The other benefits: ( Inductively thinking is all I have to go on so be
forewarned). Engine life would be enhanced, since it's overall load is
reduced by transferring electrical power in demand situations where the
ICE is not at it's most thermally efficient RPM range. This "power" is
partly free, in that the EC, engine controller, recovers electrical
energy by charging the batteries, which is a "braking effect" on the
vehicle. Brakes on the vehicle last longer, since they see less
stopping momentum. You get the idea.
The rest of the electrical power comes from two sources. When the
engine is at cruise RPM, aka a efficient thermal RPM and the load on the
engine permits, charging of the batteries takes place. The EC takes
care of this "seamlessly". The other charge is the nightly plug in.
In my opinion, while none of the above operations occur at ideal rpms to
the power/generation electric motor, or the ICE, a recognizable benefit
does occur. I say this because in a true application, the ICE would only
operate at it's optimum thermal efficient RPM in order to supply the
electric motor. This is not completely a windfall though as pound for
pound, the electric motor needed to replace the ICE's torque is heavy,
some 600lbs. Nor is a 50kw electric motor Cheap!
Another good thing is that the waterboxer is light at 265lbs and the
engine's combustion chamber designe is particular efficient at cruise
rpm. Even more so with an updated EC. So in my opinion a pretty
competitive application of technology to the waterboxer.
In another twist I think that the elusive "more torque" question is
solved by the electric motor being there to help get extra boost to move
the vehicle when needed. This is subtle but the key is that the torque
boost helps by getting the waterboxer RPMs up to it's power range. This
is important because the engine is so weak at lower RPMs, I believe we
would see a greater benefit than other vehilce/engine combinations.
Thanks for listening in
Mark
In order of relevance
Diesel-electric marine propulsion systems and accessories.
<http://www.ossapowerlite.com/tech_library/fuel_efficiency/fuel_efficiency.htm>
KTA Services Inc. <http://www.kta-ev.com/>
L.M.C. Manufacturers of Permanent Magnet DC Motors
<http://www.lemcoltd.com/performance.htm>
Curtis Instruments- Instrumentation, motor speed controllers, battery
chargers <http://www.curtisinst.com/>
DetectorTechnologies.com - Product Catalog
<http://www.detectortechnologies.com/store/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=5>
ASMO Marine <http://www.asmomarine.com/2005/asmo_uk/00.shtml>
taylorproductolinecard-bilingual.pdf (application/pdf Object)
<http://www.taylorproducto.ca/taylorproductolinecard-bilingual.pdf>
http://www.steamboating.net/
Boat Design Net - the Boat Design and Boat Building Site
<http://boatdesign.net/>
has a Hybrid forum under the propulsion section.
Boat Design Net - the Boat Design and Boat Building Site
<http://boatdesign.net/>
<http://www.taylorproducto.ca/taylorproductolinecard-bilingual.pdf>
<http://www.steamboating.net/>
