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How come A/C compressors aren't driven by electric motors?
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We should note that if a DC motor is used for the A/C compressor, the motor and compressor will need to be connected by a coupling and a mechanical seal used (like existing compressors) to retain the refrigerant. This, as you know, is because the commutator and brushes of the DC motor need periodic service and cannot be immersed in the refrigerant. The A/C motor, of course, would be integral with the compressor like a refrigerator or home air conditioner, and would thus be a sealed system. The same reasoning applies to the water pump. So ... there's a strong argument for use of inverters.
About the voltage being agreed upon by the automotive industry - new developments will have to be taken into account. At one time they all agreed on 6 volts. Time marches on.......we will see.
www.aurasystems.com
Aura Systems manufactures an under the hood power generating system that can power up compressors or other electrical stuff at engine idle. I work for the company.
The only reason to convert to DC is to store in a battery. If we are not talking about a gas/electric hybrid, why would we need a large storage battery? A small inverter to convert DC to AC to run accessories while the engine is off, and everything is AC powered except the starter motor.
TB
And yes, we are of course talking about hybrids. The difference being that in the examples I am talking about, a greater step forward has been taken. You must concede that a World War 1 submarine drive system is no different in concept to a modern hybrid vehicle such as a Toyota Prius.
What we have in both is exactly the same. An internal combustion engine (diesel in this case), driving a generator which drives a motor and at the same time charges banks of batteries for underwater travel. The batteries will drive the motors underwater and on the surface if needed. The concept is hardly new.
What IS new however, is the electronics available today to make everything more effient. This is why so much interest is being shown again in an old concept.
The throttle would just control the speed of the electric drive motors. Heck, you could put a small drive motor on each wheel (I think that was mentioned here) and some of 'dem newfangled 'lectronics could act as the differential, traction control, etc.
I like the idea of the redundancy too. The engine drives two smaller generators, and there are four drive motors. The only powertrain failure that would sideline the vehicle is an engine failure.
Of course, for the ultimate in redundancy, you could have the batteries as well.
It is just that batteries are so heavy and will take up so much space, I'm not sure we would want to have a skid full of 'em. Not to mention all of the nice toxic goo found inside.
TB
speed doesn't mean it is running at a high speed. Additional power can be produced by adding more air and fuel, even at low engine speeds.
Perhaps a turbo with electronically controlled boost.
Just thinking out loud.
While an AC system, the potential for harm to a person is much greater.
In any case, such high voltage circuits would be very well insulated and clearly marked "Danger High Voltage." In the case of an accident, fail safe design will allow all high voltage circuits to switch off.
I've been looking through my automotive books and have come up with something interesting. As far back as 1916 the Woods Dual Power motorcar was on the market. It was a hybrid motorcar using a 4 cylinder gasoline engine driving a generator which charged batteries which powered the electric motor. It wasn't a success because the power to weight ratio was bad. Not surprising for those times but the idea was there.
Then there was the motorcar design that coupled the engine to the drive wheels with a magnetic coupling. The dynamo as they liked to call them those days was directly coupled to the drive motor. No controls in between. Just rev up the engine, the dynamo gives more output to the motor and the car moves off. No clutch, no gearbox. The car was called the Crown Magnetic and was built in 1920. None of these cars were a success then but given modern materials I'm sure they would have all worked better. My point is, the concept of hybrids is not new.
Well, I've spent a lot of time here and feel I should move on. Maybe I should join the great "engine sludge debate" on the other board. Its been good fielding arguments and I hope I've given you all food for thought. Don't let the naysayers tell you it can't be done. They said the same about putting a man on the moon. In 20 years from now just maybe something of what I have said will have come true.
And Opatience, 20 years from now, don't forget to put your electricians safety gloves on when when you tune up that hybrid vehicle. Only kidding only kidding............
I was merely stating a fact. Whether you like it or not.
And yes, the new Hybrids are much higher voltage than the concept cars of years past. And mechanics of the future will be more of a cross between a mechanic, electrician and computer technician.
The concept cars or hybrids are not new, the only difference is that this is the first time they have been even remotely accepted.
In the 70s Europe made an attempt at a few all electric cars, had they had more power and range, they might have been accepted.
The hybrids still have along way to go to be competetive with the IC engine vehicles, mostly because most people prefer the power of a real engine.
It took almost 20 years for the diesel to be accepted as a power plant for cars or pickups and be popular.
Today I heard that Opec will be reducing oil production and once more hold the USA to ransom with high oil prices. They cannot be allowed to do that and the only way to prevent being held to ransom is to use less of their products.