FreeLists / opendtv / [opendtv] Re: GM exec: Time to reinvent the automobile

["Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>]

John Shutt wrote:

> Over the years I've had to repair or replace transmissions,
> brakes, shocks, tires, A/C systems, batteries, etc. Engine
> repair, other than routine oil changes, has been near the
> bottom of my repair list. To me the modern computer
> controlled, fuel injected internal combustion engine is
> pretty darn close to being a perfected art.
>
> The problem with competing against a mature technology is
> that the mature technology has already climbed the steep
> learning curve.

I agree 100 percent, but I also think it goes further than that.

The problem with competing technologies is mostly that those pushing
them consistently lie. They lie because what they really want is money
to continue to tinker, so they never tell the innocent the WHOLE truth.
Basically, what motivates marketers, journalists, polticians, (and
lawyers), is not the unvarnished truth, because the unvarnished truth is
too often fairly boring. It won't sell wasteful research, it won't sell
news copy, and it won't get one elected to public office.

Certainly, hybrid vehicles and ethanol fuels are perfect examples of
this. Luckily for everyone, the EPA has just recently redone their fuel
economy test routines enough to show what real-world experience has
known a long time. Hybrids are not significantly better than diesels,
probably worse than diesels in certain conditions (like steep climbs),
and are a lot more complicated.

With respect to air engines, I think Barry nailed it when he says: "The
overall efficiency is not bad but the main problem is energy density."
The air is not used as a fuel. It's just like those rubber band powered
airplanes we played with as kids. There's absolutely nothing clever
going on with the air, like high latent energy content.

Here is a good bottom line, IMO. Even in vehicles as large as ships, if
you want high speed, i.e. lots of power in a small package, you go for
gas turbines or steam turbines. But if you want the lowest possible
operating costs, including the best possible fuel economy, what is the
consistent choice? It is reciprocating diesel engines. Even true in
enormous tankers. Big, giant, piston diesel engines. Why is that?

(And yes, believe it or not, compressed air is used to *start* these
engines.)

Bert
 
 
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