ClarianLabs: Rethinking The Battery As A Tiny Engine

Mazda has clearly demonstrated over years and years now that rotary engines suck (guzzle oil, terrible fuel economy, terrible longevity). Perhaps in this application they wouldn't, but it would be a first.

 

Lets break down by function the main reasons why HSD improves fuel economy:

* Coasting with ICE off
* ICE downsized by having alternative extra power source
* Markedly decreased low power pumping losses

This invention can substitute for the last two I think, and maybe the first also. Since it appears to be quite small, perhaps super dooper composites, carbon or ceramics may be employed to solve the friction problems of past rotaries.

I am not a scientist or an engineer, so take my post with a grain of salt. I do.

 

This is basically how a motorcycle engine provides an alternator. The crankshaft is the rotor, and the stator is mounted on the crankcase. How is this any different? Except it is a less efficient engine?

Why not just turn an old turbo into an alternator? Just put it downstream near the tailpipe. Still, there is back pressure, but your fuel is already burnt instead of providing new fuel. Just a thought.

 

Admittedly I'm treading in unfamiliar waters for myself, and probably out of my depth. So I'll ask anyone and everyone...

If I'm reading this correctly? Why is it compared to...or called a "battery" at all? It's a "Rotary Piston Generator" by the manufacturers own definition. Then they "say" it's energy "capacity" is 10 times greater than a battery? But what do they mean...immediate output capacity, when fueled and in use? Or energy "storage" capacity...

Because admittedly I'm ignorant here...but how does this device "store" energy? They simultaneously call it portable energy storage...I'm not seeing the "storage" part? They seem to be using two terms...generator...one thing....and battery..another...

Enlighten me. Which is it?

 

^^ As I posted above, I think the idea is to replace the battery in a hybrid vehicle application with this device. I don't know if it can also act as a flywheel, but maybe that is the capacity talked about ?

 

Actually, you still need a battery (or UltraCap) for efficiency. This is an approach to doing a serial hybrid

JeffD

 

The battery comparison is because the device can be made very small, which would allow it to power some of the same devices traditionally powered by batteries.

A better title for the article would have been: "Tiny internal combustion engine targets traditional battery applications."

It isn't a battery. It doesn't have anything to do with batteries. It *is* small, and it generates electricity. That is the end of the similarities.

This device would be entirely unsuitable for hybrid vehicles. In fact, rather than use this, one can use the engine already installed under the hood. Batteries are used in hybrid vehicles because they can store energy. This tiny motor can't do that.

Tom

 

Oh ... ok.

Perhaps people willing to make hydrogen at home and refill their own cartridges will be interested in the device as a way to store energy. As for car application the extra power supply might allow ICE downsizing, ICE off coasting, and solve low power inefficiencies. Seems like regen is lost.

 

This device *is* an ICE. Therefor it won't help for ICE downsizing, ICE off coasting, or anything else ICE. It's just another motor-generator, albeit a very small one. It won't be small if you scale it up to the size needed for a car. Then it will be essentially a Mazda powered Prius.

Tom

 

^^ I was thinking of it as the battery replacement in a hybrid drivetrain. A bigger_ICE/little_ICE hybrid, if you will.

 

I understood your thinking, which is why I replied like I did. If you replace the hybrid battery with another ICE, you end up with a two-engined car, not a hybrid. Adding a large version of this device to a car is just adding a second engine. In no way can it serve the same function as the hybrid battery. At best, it could work like a trolling motor on a fishing boat.

Tom

 

Tom,

Ignorance is bliss -- I have not given up on the idea yet
How about this: HSD, little_ICE, big_ICE, and ultra-cap. The ultra-cap is needed for regen and eCVT duties.

I call it a hybrid because the two ICEs can work alone or in concert.

 

That would work. Even with just the ultra-cap and ICE it would be a hybrid.

Tom

 

Thanks...it was early in the morning and I was just misreading/misunderstanding the title. I kept thinking...why are they calling it a battery? But now it makes sense..they are saying...You could use this tiny "engine" to generate electricity, then use it in applications commonly used for batteries...Yeah, it's a misleading title...

 

you gotta love the new anti-leaf comercial showing how you can run everything on propane and not plug it in

Well there is one good use for it. It looks like you could add this to a ev to convert it to a serial phev. This is the approach audi is using on one of their prototypes, a small wankel generator to range extend.

 

so, this would be like the leaf commercial asking " what if everything was powered by gasoline?" instead of having a battery, my laptop would have a butane tank and enough of these generators for power. would i have to duct the exhaust outside?

 

I"m thinking "what if you were wireless". So you can walk into you office in the woods, and just turn on the quiet generator and power and internet without wire. . etc. I know I really like having a gas chainsaw to clear land without cords. I also like having a camping blender that runs on gas. My camping stove runs on propane. It would be awful to carry around heavy batteries, or be unable to get out in nature.

 

No, the exhaust would go into your lap, enhancing the already hot cooling air venting from the computer.

Tom