Bringing an Advanced Battery to Market
Initial testing of a simple cell at the laboratory is basically a proof-of concept, and is utilized to test the stability and output under carefully controlled conditions. A group of…
Battery Characteristics
For this discussion, batteries have been divided into four thematic groups: lead acid, alkaline, high temperature, and solid electrolyte. Various battery designs have been examined that would fall under the…
Electric Drivetrain Technologies
Introduction The appeal of using electricity to power automobiles is that it would eliminate vehicular air pollution (although there would still be pollution at the power source), and that electricity…
DISC and Two-Stroke Engines
Direct Injection Stratified Charge (DISC) Engines are considered as the highest level of technology refinement for SI engines. These engines are almost completely unthrottled, and will require variable valve timing…
Reducing Pumping Loss
Reductions in flow pressure loss can be achieved by reducing the pressure drop that occurs in the flow of air (air fuel mixture) into the cylinder, and the combusted mixture…
Reducing Mechanical Friction
Mechanical friction losses can be reduced by converting sliding metal contacts to rolling contacts, reducing the weight of moving parts, reducing production tolerances to improve the fit between pistons and…
Improvements To Spark Ignition Engines
Overview The spark ignition (SI) engine is the dominant passenger car and light truck powerplant in the United States. The theoretical efficiency of the SI engine is: Efficiency = 1…
Rolling Resistance Reduction
Background The rolling resistance of a tire is the force required to move the tire forward, and represents nearly a third of the tractive forces on a vehicle. The force…
Materials Selection Criteria
Five key factors affect the auto designer’s selection of materials: manufacturability and cost, performance, weight, safety, and recyclability. Manufacturability and Cost A typical mid-size family car costs about $5 per…
Technologies for Advanced Vehicles Performance and Cost Expectations
This chapter discusses the technical potential and probable costs of a range of advanced vehicle technologies that may be available for commercialization by 2005 and 2015 (or earlier). As noted,…
