Great job, Lucien. Er, now if you just could shrink it to Sprinter size without any loss of power. Oh, and have you seen the draft of the latest emissions standards?
During a recent discussion about the Canter Eco Hybrid, allenZ observed that, with the high peak recapture of kinetic energy from regenerative braking, a hydraulic system would seem to be well suited for city traffic. “Downsize it to a Sprinter,” he opines, “and you have got a vehicle that could corner the market.”
While this blog may not necessarily agree, it nonetheless is an intriguing observation, one that also hints at configurations other than diesel-hydraulic. Especially in the size category, which includes the Sprinter commercial van, there would seem to be various, “green fleet” options:
- With the recent ballyhoo about ethanol by Ford and GM, an E85 capable hydraulic hybrid seems particularly appropriate.
- Odyne Corporation’s conversion of an AutoCar garbage truck into a heavy-duty plug-in hybrid with a CNG genset suggests that a hydraulic system could be coupled with an engine powered by some gaseous fuel, e.g., CNG, hydrogen, etc.
Rather than modify conventional internal combustion engines, developers also are considering alternatives. Already Honda and Toyota have produced and marketed cars, the engines in which run an Atkinson cycle and so truly are other than Otto’s mobiles. Or, as recently noted, with the advent of sophisticated automotive electronics, combined cycle propulsion is receiving greater consideration since it also offers the ability of utilizing a variety of fuels.
Another possibility could be an OPOC Hydraulic Hybrid. This blog previously mentioned OPOC (Opposing Piston, Opposing Cylinder) hybrids because the engine, originally designed by Ferdinand Porsche, has extraordinary power density.
Hydraulic assist can provide a lot of power over a short duration. Thus, HPA may be suitable for medium and heavy-duty vehicles with large amounts of start and stop driving. The disadvantages are 1) the added weight of the pump and fluid, 2) cost and maintenance of a pressurized fluid system, and 3) environmental hazard of the fluid used.
Still, it would seem that the best promise of a replacement for diesel propulsion in medium and heavy duty vehicles is HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Catalytic Compression Ignition). One basis for such potential is stricter emission standards, which HCCI potentially could satisfy. Another reason for considering an HCCI Hydraulic hybrid is that, with sophisticated control, HCCI can accept a variety of fuels. And, lastly, such a combination could provide a little more balance since there are just too many “Cs” at present.
If you see one of those striped hat people, let’s ask if HPA could incorporate regenerative suspension, O.K.?
