100 MPG Lincolns and 60 MPG Hummer H3's?

[lancew]

"Johnathan Goodwin can get 100 mpg out of a Lincoln Continental, cut emissions by 80%, and double the horsepower."

Just a cool story and a cool guy...

Here:

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/120/motorhead-messiah.html

[Kutcher]

I wonder if it will ever go anywhere...


http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/15/bmw-introduces-new-three-door-1-series-for-2007/



You think that the ultra high MPG/ ultra clean - diesel versions will ever be seen here...?

[BONEY]

I've thought of that option while sitting around solving the world's problems with my buddies. It's feasible and the turbine engine is appropriate for that type of use. They're highly efficient, but don't spool up quickly- which is why the turbine cars never went anywhere (get it? Ha!)

There's a company that makes small turbines for model aircraft, and now boats. I was thinking that one of them would be perfect for a motorcycle application of similar principals. Sadly I don't have the brain power to do it, or the money to fund it.

BTW, turbine engines, set up properly, can truely be Multi-Fuel engines.

[The_Veg]

There are some points being neglected here...if this guy can get 60 MPG from a Hummer, than he could get 120 MPG from a smaller car more like the verage person needs. Also larger vehicles still have other environmental problems, such as more tire-rubber and lubricants to dispose of than do smaller cars, plus they cause a lot more wear and tear on roads and bridges (and I think I recall something about USA no longer being able to aford to maintain it's infrastructure...).
Then there is the fact that large vehicles take up more space, whether parked or in traffic. Then do the math on what it takes to stop them in a hurry.
To think that you can solve the big-vehicle problems just by radically improving the MPG is to overlook a LOT of things.

[RJM2096]

BMW seems to have the right idea. The key to increasing any vehicles milage is to reduce the energy wasted. Power steering and alternator on demand will help a lot. Braking that charges the battery is another. Freewheeling deceleration is another.

[BONEY]

There are some points being neglected here...if this guy can get 60 MPG from a Hummer, than he could get 120 MPG from a smaller car more like the verage person needs. Also larger vehicles still have other environmental problems, such as more tire-rubber and lubricants to dispose of than do smaller cars, plus they cause a lot more wear and tear on roads and bridges (and I think I recall something about USA no longer being able to aford to maintain it's infrastructure...).
Then there is the fact that large vehicles take up more space, whether parked or in traffic. Then do the math on what it takes to stop them in a hurry.
To think that you can solve the big-vehicle problems just by radically improving the MPG is to overlook a LOT of things.

I agree with you. Completely.

The problem is that you will not be able to sell a small car to someone who wants a big one, no matter what the milage.

[108625]

I've thought of that option while sitting around solving the world's problems with my buddies. It's feasible and the turbine engine is appropriate for that type of use. They're highly efficient, but don't spool up quickly- which is why the turbine cars never went anywhere (get it? Ha!)

There's a company that makes small turbines for model aircraft, and now boats. I was thinking that one of them would be perfect for a motorcycle application of similar principals. Sadly I don't have the brain power to do it, or the money to fund it.

BTW, turbine engines, set up properly, can truely be Multi-Fuel engines.

Turbines might be multi-fuel, but they are far from efficient, and generate extreme heat, most of which is also wasted. Another argument against such an engine is if you can burn virtually anything in it, how can you possibly control emissions?

The most efficient set up we have today, in terms of work accomplished per gallon of fuel consumed, is the diesel electric locomotive. The Internal combustion engine drives a generator or alternator (there are, specifically AC and DC locomotives) which in turn powers traction motors at each driven axle. Dynamic brakes are another way they minimize fuel consumed to generate power.
I would think that GM's Electromotive Division (EMD) would give the manufacturer the resources to take the lead in scaling down such technology to adapt to an automobile. I would be surprised if they're not working on it now.

Bob
Idle mind at work

[BubbaZanetti]

There are some points being neglected here...if this guy can get 60 MPG from a Hummer, than he could get 120 MPG from a smaller car more like the verage person needs.

and therein lies the mentality you have to overcome.

[lancew]

I think the thre coolest things about this are

1) It can be done
2) This guy is doing it and openly challenging GM, etc, to go along.
3( The flexibility makes it a reasonable bridge forward.

Besides- most of the Great Leaps Forward started as luxuries only available to the rich. Automobiles, telephones, air travel, tv, indoor plumbing, cellphones, shoes, you name it. If this guy is doing it now for Arnold's jeep and Dylan's Lincoln, there's at least a chance that the technology gets licensed, refined, and mass-produced. All it has to do is reach a tipping point to move forward.

Sign me up for a 285hp, 325 mpg R1150GS, please...

[BONEY]

On the diesel-electric hybrid topic of locomotives; Here's a mini (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/08/the_hybrid_mini.php) that boasts some seriously impressive numbers, in all categories.

[108625]

On the diesel-electric hybrid topic of locomotives; Here's a mini (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/08/the_hybrid_mini.php) that boasts some seriously impressive numbers, in all categories.

That goes one step farther into the territory of the diesel electric submarine; in which the internal combustion engine drives the generator or alternator, which instead of (or in addition to) powering the traction motors, charges a battery bank that can store power for those motors.
D/E powered subs, of course, ran on battery power when submerged deeper than periscope depth (they could breath through intake and exhaust stacks near the surface). Locomotives don't need this feature, which is why you can hear their diesel engines accelerate and deccelerate based on load demands.
Some fascinating engine technology at work there, too. Did you know a lot of locomotive engines are turbocharged two strokes? Or that Fairbanks Morse engines, used in trains and subs, where the opposite of BMW style boxers? They used two pistons per cylinder, chamber in the center, and a crankshaft at each end. (12 cylinders, 24 pistons, two crankshafts, and a smaller 8 and 16 version)

Bob

[Kutcher]

NPR this morning had someone saying that the Saudis are actually ticked off that gas in the USA was @ $4/gal.

They're FEAR (it was said) is that "it will push people to look at and develop alternatives", leaving them with a much smaller market.