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Concept: VGT Developing “Plug-in” Gasoline/Compressed Air Hybrid Based on the RoundEngine
August 08, 2008
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| Basic design of a two-piston RoundEngine. Click to enlarge. |
Canada’s VGT Technologies, the developer of the RoundEngine, has started development of a “plug-in” compressed air hybrid vehicle using the RoundEngine technology. In this application, “plug-in” refers to connecting to an external air compressor to top off the storage tanks. The RoundEngine is a novel variable geometry toroidal (VGT) engine.
The gasoline/air hybrid vehicle is similar to a gasoline/electric hybrid vehicle but uses compressed air instead of electricity for an auxiliary drive. In the first phase of development VGT will focus on the air drive using the RoundEngine technology by modifying an AWD vehicle to incorporate the air drive on the rear axle. The front axle will be powered by the gasoline engine. The purpose is to prove the air drive in an automotive application and to demonstrate fuel and emissions savings. VGT is manufacturing a toroidal engine for this application.
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MDI Shows New Compressed Air Vehicle at NYIAS; Plans Larger Vehicle for US Market in 2010
March 21, 2008
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| The new MDI economy/utility car at the New York show. |
MDI (Moteur Developpment International) Group, the French developer of compressed air vehicles, and Zero Pollution Motors (ZPM), MDI’s North American representative, is showcasing MDI’s newest compressed air vehicle—an economy/utility car—at this year’s New York International Auto Show (NYIAS). The vehicle made its debut at the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE (AXP) (earlier post) booth at the show. ZPM and MDI have entered a team to compete for the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE.
The new MDI economy/utility car is powered by the Compressed Air Engine (CAE) invented by Guy Negre, CEO and founder of MDI, and is one in a series of vehicles to be developed by MDI for production in various markets throughout the world. In 2007, MDI signed an agreement with Tata Motors for the application of CAE technology in India. (Earlier post.)
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SwRI Full-Load Study of Scuderi Split-Cycle Engine Indicates Higher Power, Torque and Efficiency Than Conventional Engines of Equal Displacement
January 30, 2008
The first independent laboratory study of the Scuderi Split-Cycle Engine (earlier post) under full-load conditions indicates that a gasoline-fueled version of the engine will have higher power, torque and efficiency ratings than the current state-of-the-art turbocharged gasoline engines of equal displacement on the road today.
The Full Load (FL) Study by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is the first of three reports to be published by the laboratory prior to the assembly of the first prototype, which is scheduled for completion later this year. A Part Load Study and an Air-Hybrid Study will be published in early and mid-2008 respectively.
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Heavy-Duty Air-Hybrid Engine Prototype Shows Up to 18% Improvement in Fuel Economy, Depending On Drive Cycle
August 14, 2007
Initial simulation studies of a prototype heavy-duty air-hybrid engine being developed by engineers at Volvo Powertrain, UCLA and Sturman Industries show a 4-18% improvement in fuel economy over a wide range of driving cycles. The amount of improvement depends on the cycle.
The addition of a low-temperature EGR circuit could boost that improvement by another three to four percentage points, according to the research team. The goal of the project, co-funded by the DOE, is to develop and demonstrate a heavy duty air-power-assist (APA) engine for a refuse vehicle with a 15% improvement in fuel efficiency and with emissions that meet the 2010 regulations. (Earlier post.)
