Video: GM’s Gary Smyth on modeling and simulation as core to powertrain innovation
09 December 2012
In a video published by Reaction Design, Gary Smyth, executive director of GM’s Science Labs, discusses the successes GM has made and continues to make in developing advanced powertrain systems and vehicles, in large part due to increasing reliance on combustion modeling and simulation.
Smyth’s specific observations on the importance of modeling and simulation begin at 4:34 in the video.
This video does not really present anything new beyond what is already known about GM's Volt.
The range extender in the Volt is principally acceptable, not however, the manner in which these principles are realized.
First of all, a three cylinder engine is more efficient than a four cylinder. Total friction losses etc. are less from three - than from four cylinders and respective no. of valves and camshaft.
Using regenerative energy (solar or/and wind) to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen via alectrolysis and combining the hydrogen with atmospheric CO2 via a catalytic process to methane; methane is equivalent to natural gas.
A 3-cylinder turbo gas engine would deliver about 100 to 120 kW; sufficient to drive a gnerator to supply the electric drive train.
Such an engine would be highly efficient, be CO2 neutral and would reduce the "dead weight" presently inherent to the Volt.
There is absolutely nothing new about any of the technologies involved in such a version. The present infrastructure of gas stations could be used without any problems and financial investment would be low.
That is the least I would expect before even being tempted to purchase a Volt.
Because most of the driving can be expected to be purely electric, the 3-cylinder "discomfort" would be negligible.
In my opinion, GM still has some homework to do.
Posted by: yoatmon | 09 December 2012 at 08:38 AM