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Hybrid minivan is coming.. and no it is not HEV

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by cyclopathic, Apr 28, 2011.

  1. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    it is hydrolic!
    Hydraulic minivan coming from Chrysler, with the EPA's help — Autoblog Green
    (sorry if repost)
     
  2. billnchristy

    billnchristy Active Member

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    I wonder how they are going to get around the loudness that pretty much scrapped those other projects mentioned.
     
  3. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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  4. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    Not without creative engineering, sound insulation and buying patents.

    If you think A/C mfg had been dealing with this problem for long time, and I'll bet there are few very quiet designs have been used on submarines.

    but then again people will buy if they get over magic 30MPG avg, and gas will go to 5$ a gal
     
  5. billnchristy

    billnchristy Active Member

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    Submarines have quite a bit of double hull to insulate. I imagine a double hull minivan would be a land boat in more than one way. :)
     
  6. dipper

    dipper Senior Member

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    At least car makers will not need to install "noise maker" then. :D
     
  7. sipnfuel

    sipnfuel New Member

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    Maybe they use a scroll compressor.
     
  8. billnchristy

    billnchristy Active Member

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    I know there are safety concerns for batteries and 200+v wiring but what about 5,000 psi boiling hot hydraulic fluid? EEK!
     
  9. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I have been waiting for hydraulic since 1994. It was developed during PNGV.
     
  10. sipnfuel

    sipnfuel New Member

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    Well you definitely don't want to cut the high pressure line. The reservoir should be large enough that the fluid cools down on the return.
     
  11. billnchristy

    billnchristy Active Member

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    I'm just saying in an accident.

    I am sure there will be well thought out safety measures. I just remember the couple times our 4000psi air compressors lifted the 3rd stage relief on the ship and it was like a shotgun going off 3 decks below. 3rd stage was probably 1500psi or so. When those lifted I would get scared to be anywhere near those machines because if it lifted while I was taking logs I would probably leave a log of my own.
     
  12. billnchristy

    billnchristy Active Member

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    Oh and I want to say that I believe hydraulic hybrids are the key for larger vehicles.
     
  13. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    I hope they succeed. It's always good to have as many different R&D teams around the world working on solutions. That way, new discoveries come about faster. The hydraulic system could turn out to be a great technology. It can then compete with battery systems, causing both to race to innovate and be more and more efficient.

    BillnChristy, I think I've read that somewhere before. I think Waste Management was experimenting with hydraulic hybrids on garbage trucks.
     
  14. billnchristy

    billnchristy Active Member

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    I just don't think batteries can do it, large vehicles are already heavy then we need electricity to move them and the batteries add more weight...its an endless cycle of capacity vs. capability.
     
  15. telmo744

    telmo744 HSD fanatic

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    I just thought about one drawback.
    It will be very difficult to convert to a plug-in, wouldn't it?
     
  16. billnchristy

    billnchristy Active Member

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    But just imagine the performance gains using different oils, filters, faster cycling valves...high performance hydraulics would be a whole new market. :)
     
  17. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    You just put it on a large treadmill.
     
  18. billnchristy

    billnchristy Active Member

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    Another interesting thought is I have never seen a hydraulic system that didn't leak...Some would say they haven't seen a Chrysler product that didn't leak something, could be a double whammy.
     
  19. sipnfuel

    sipnfuel New Member

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    Not really. You can use a really smaller compressor running on 120VAC to pressurize the system before you go. Waste heat from pressurization can even go into the cabin.
     
  20. sipnfuel

    sipnfuel New Member

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    Yes, that was what I meant too. Cut in an accident, or cut by emergency personnel while trying to remove passengers, etc.

    It could potentially be worse than cutting a high voltage line.

    A good safety feature would be to use valves to shut the system at every possible point during an accident, especially at the beginning and end of lines. Then the only fluid that can leak is a few ounces. You can use an explosive mechanism similar to ones in airbags to actuate the valves.