Air Power Car

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Saw a few clips on these. They are small, a bit ugly, however 800 to 1,000 miles on 8 gallons of gas. Could be the answer to reducing our need for oil. I just caught a bit of it on Fox, but I think they said the producer of the car is going to mass produce them.

Just think, take your mother-in-law with you for an emergency air supply, and you could also put her on the dash in case your car didn't come with an air bag

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Air Power Car

"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-A3XHFT5qc"

really neat!!!

 

[QC]

Re: Air Power Car

Just remember something about air cars. Despite what the video says, there is no magic way that they can make the energy required to compress air minimised. Anybody with air tools who biotches about pressure and compressor strength can figure this out pretty quick. There is no way that enough energy to propel that thing 100 miles can be accomplished by a typical service station compressor in 4 minutes. No way, uh-uh, don't believe it. Call me a cynic, but I am pretty sure these guys have not found a way to defy the laws of thermodynamics. Heck we can't get gaseous fuel into a truck fast enough with 400 bhp compressors . . . I also saw this on Future Cars the other night, they gloss right over the energy required. In the you tube video he says something about 2 dollars to run the compressor long enough to fill for 100 miles. It just cannot be true unless he's getting electricity for next to nothing. I want to to see an independent test with somebody who understands this issue . . . Someone needs to challenge the fill time and energy required stuff.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Air Power Car

I was doing a bit more surfing on it. Actually there is several different companies that are doing the R&D. Popular Mechanics has a pretty good read on it.The compressor is a 3 stage from what I understand. The tanks are made of carbon fiber which will ruputure but not explode.

I don't think they will go over too well because of the lack of bells/whistles that people want with their car.

 

[norm1057]

Re: Air Power Car

Looks like a cool concept. Saw it on Future Cars, now I'm ready and waiting to see one first hand. With my daily commute at 35 miles one way, this concept may work for me.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Air Power Car

I'd get one just because it should provide close to the same power as gas durring acceleration, while allowing me to get my fuel from the nuclear plant. Let the oil companies drown in their own gas... even if I have to pay more for the electricity, it's worth it.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Air Power Car

Old stuff check this thread
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=26986&highlight=new+tech

 

[i386]

Re: Air Power Car

Interesting concept. I'd expect these cars to be light weight and low on the creature comforts. I also wonder how well they fare in crash tests.

An idea for refueling...

Have an air tank at home that uses solar panels and high pressure/low volume pumps. Let it spend the daylight hours filling the tank. Even if it takes all day, you can hook up the hose when you come home from your daily commute. That might cost a lot though.

 

[QC]

Re: Air Power Car

Don't forget that any super duper lightweight new technology stuff could be applied to diesel, gasoline etc. Is this car economical if we could get 150 MPG from diesel? That's what you need to compare it to or at least something similar. If size and weight don't matter, then I am going to claim that my Expedition is a green vehicle because it gets better fuel economy with lower emissions than the Space Shuttle.

Also, i386's idea of Solar panels is the whole problem with Hydrogen (in this case air). We all assume that if we generate the power for "free" then we just brought the cost down of Hydrogen . . . Wrong!!! Couldn't we (anybody who invests in this free power) sell that power on the open market? So then isn't our cost whatever we didn't get by not selling it?

I'm gonna say it again, anybody with air tools ought to be shaking their head . . . It doesnt matter if it's a 77 stage air compressor, without enough squeeze there ain't no stinkin' power . . . The squeeze takes power. Maybe you ought to think of this as a battery powered car. The electricity is used to "charge" the air tanks which make the car go. Unless you are Sarge, don't you believe that the "load" on your house's electrical system will cost the same energy as stored by the air "battery"? That would be with 100% efficiency in transferring that energy to air tanks. Don't you think there is some power lost by the compressor? Heat? Friction (heat)? Last time I checked my little 2 bhp air compressor it was pretty warm . . . Where's that heat coming from? The wall socket maybe?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Air Power Car

Don't forget that any super duper lightweight new technology stuff could be applied to diesel, gasoline etc. Is this car economical if we could get 150 MPG from diesel? That's what you need to compare it to or at least something similar. If size and weight don't matter, then I am going to claim that my Expedition is a green vehicle because it gets better fuel economy with lower emissions than the Space Shuttle.

Also, i386's idea of Solar panels is the whole problem with Hydrogen (in this case air). We all assume that if we generate the power for "free" then we just brought the cost down of Hydrogen . . . Wrong!!! Couldn't we (anybody who invests in this free power) sell that power on the open market? So then isn't our cost whatever we didn't get by not selling it?

I'm gonna say it again, anybody with air tools ought to be shaking their head . . . It doesnt matter if it's a 77 stage air compressor, without enough squeeze there ain't no stinkin' power . . . The squeeze takes power. Maybe you ought to think of this as a battery powered car. The electricity is used to "charge" the air tanks which make the car go. Unless you are Sarge, don't you believe that the "load" on your house's electrical system will cost the same energy as stored by the air "battery"? That would be with 100% efficiency in transferring that energy to air tanks. Don't you think there is some power lost by the compressor? Heat? Friction (heat)? Last time I checked my little 2 bhp air compressor it was pretty warm . . . Where's that heat coming from? The wall socket maybe?

I don't know QC, we are going to have to do something about your insatiable need for diesel fuel as an energy source....

 

[QC]

Re: Air Power Car

Slurp, slurp . . .Yum!!

Edit: BTW, my insatiable need to beat these threads to death is that there will be no alternative fuel of any significance unless it can compete head to head with diesel economically and environmentally. Almost everything you read, see, get reported to you leaves some significant details out like . . . uh . . . cost . . . weight . . . availability . . . actual energy required . . . Last I checked this Hydrogen stuff was not available down the street, nor are there air compressors that can refill a tank in reasonable time, but contrary to popular belief, there is some diesel and petrol down on the corner (shhhhhh, you might cause a panic) . . .

BTW, hybrids are not alternative fuel vehicles and are not anything but a more efficient transmission system. It is a an oil sucking dragon and those of you who think you are helping should lower your heads in shame, you Big Oil supporting scumbags you. You'd help more by buying a used diesel Golf . . .

 

[i386]

Re: Air Power Car

Also, i386's idea of Solar panels is the whole problem with Hydrogen (in this case air). We all assume that if we generate the power for "free" then we just brought the cost down of Hydrogen . . . Wrong!!! Couldn't we (anybody who invests in this free power) sell that power on the open market? So then isn't our cost whatever we didn't get by not selling it?

Well, I'm not suggesting that it's free. AFAIK, solar panels are expensive. The tank, pump, and related electronics won't be cheap either. I'm just speculating that it might work without knowing the actual technical details or dollar figures.

I think I have heard where businesses and individuals with generators can sell power back to the grid.

 

[QC]

Re: Air Power Car

Agree i386, and you noted cost. I was using your post as an example although you were not getting sucked in . . . Sorry I wasn't clearer. Yes, selling back to the grid would obviously be possible with any large scale "free" power source.

FWIW, I love all of this stuff. I just struggle when big details are forgotten when someone proclaims a new technology is "the answer" . . .

 

[JB]

Re: Air Power Car

Back about 1957 I had a Crosley Hotshot that got 52mpg. That was in Hawaii where the max speed limit was 45mph. That was good because I don't think the Crosley would do over 60. It weighed about 1200lb.

Then in the 60s I had three Mercedes Diesels that got 30-35mpg. They had no power anything except brakes, 2 of them had no AC, and they weighed in the low 3,000lb range.

Then there were my daughters' Corolla and 2 Sprites. Very light, no power goodies or AC. They all got in the upper 30s for mpg.

All of those vehicles had old-tech, very inefficient engines, no heavy power eating goodies and were very light compared to modern cars.

There is nothing miraculous about lightweight vehicles getting great mileage. There is nothing sellable about them in todays market either unless they are loaded with goodies.

 

[tommays]

Re: Air Power Car

I have seen the motor on TV and it is different than any other air motor


BUT unless they profoundly change the power required to compress air to over 3000 PSI it is big dollars in electric to run the compressor

Just look at any small SCUBA recharge system 3HP electric motor




Tommays

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Air Power Car

And could you imagine how many quarters you would have to feed those sorry little air compressors at the gas station.Heck,it costs at least a buck to top off the air in my tires.
Whatever happened to real gas stations with FREE air anyway?

 

[i386]

Re: Air Power Car

I can barely get 90PSI in my "air pig" with those coin-op compressors.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Air Power Car

Don't forget that any super duper lightweight new technology stuff could be applied to diesel, gasoline etc. Is this car economical if we could get 150 MPG from diesel? That's what you need to compare it to or at least something similar. If size and weight don't matter, then I am going to claim that my Expedition is a green vehicle because it gets better fuel economy with lower emissions than the Space Shuttle.

Naw, Space Shuttle gets WAY better mileage, and 0 emissions since its engines only burn hydrogen and oxygen to create water. It's not relevant to your point, just sayin'.

I'm gonna say it again, anybody with air tools ought to be shaking their head . . . It doesnt matter if it's a 77 stage air compressor, without enough squeeze there ain't no stinkin' power . . . The squeeze takes power. Maybe you ought to think of this as a battery powered car. The electricity is used to "charge" the air tanks which make the car go. Unless you are Sarge, don't you believe that the "load" on your house's electrical system will cost the same energy as stored by the air "battery"? That would be with 100% efficiency in transferring that energy to air tanks. Don't you think there is some power lost by the compressor? Heat? Friction (heat)? Last time I checked my little 2 bhp air compressor it was pretty warm . . . Where's that heat coming from? The wall socket maybe?

Hey, low blow there. I never said it would cost less, or even be more energy efficient, I just said I'd rather buy the energy from the power company which around here, doesn't burn oil. I'm just tired of big oil raping my wallet every time I turn around. Can't wait to see if the next administration will pursue antitrust litigation against them as they should.

SgtMaj