There is a line being drawn in the sand between two-different types of hybrid cars. There are those that follow the model of the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape hybrid, which alternately use electric and gas power. Then there are those like the Volt which uses electric motors to drive the wheels while getting electricity from a small gas motor.
Lotus has developed a “range-extender engine” that falls into the latter catagory. It implements numerous money and weight saving features that could make extended-range hybrids even more appealing in the future.
The 124 pound “monoblock” engine is designed to power the electric motors which would in turn provide propulsion to your automobile of choice. The “monoblock” design in a sense harkens back to the days of the Ford “Flathead” V8. That is to say that the block, cylinder heads, and exhaust manifold have all been built into a single, lightweight casting. This simplified design not only sheds weight, but 17 now-unecessary parts as well.
The engine has also been optimized to provide just enough power when needed. 20 horsepower at 1,500 RPM (cruising speed) or 47 horsepower at 3500 RPM (acceleration). Two valves per cylinder, port fuel injection and other advancements make this a cheap, effective alterantive for any company considering building a hybrid-electric car.
This engine still doesn’t solve the problem of costly battery packs. But it seems to be a wise decision in terms of supporting electric power generation. With a C02 output of just 120 grams per kilometer, it is a low-pollution alternative using available technology. The internal combustion engine isn’t a bad idea or inherently evil; it just needs to be enhanced or re-envisioned. This is a step in the right direction.
Turn the page for the full press release.
Source and Image Credit: Lotus
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About Christopher DeMorro
Please, someone stick this together with the Michelin combination electric motor/wheel and an ultra-capacitor and complete the revolution. Just love industry-killers.
Please, someone stick this together with the Michelin combination electric motor/wheel and an ultra-capacitor and complete the revolution. Just love industry-killers.
Hmm, looks like a Suzuki swift engine with a generator strapped to it.. LOL
Still pretty cool.
Wonder if they could bump up the CR to 12:1 and run it on LPG…
I could also see it being used as a backup generator ie not in an automobile, packaged right it could be setup to use natural gas or LPG, connect an AC generator to it for household power, and connect a hot water storage tank for cooling, the storage tank is then used in turn as an exchanger for heating a house via radiators inside the house.
Hmm, looks like a Suzuki swift engine with a generator strapped to it.. LOL
Still pretty cool.
Wonder if they could bump up the CR to 12:1 and run it on LPG…
I could also see it being used as a backup generator ie not in an automobile, packaged right it could be setup to use natural gas or LPG, connect an AC generator to it for household power, and connect a hot water storage tank for cooling, the storage tank is then used in turn as an exchanger for heating a house via radiators inside the house.
I think that you had better do some research on your Ford V-8 “monoblock” engine. You will find that it was the first of the V-8s to have the cylinders cast with the crankcase. The heads and exhaust manifolds were separate items and very popular hop up items at that.
There were engines built as you describe. Bugatti had several and only their performance kept them in demand as a valve job requires removal of the crankshaft and pistons from the engine. Interestingly, at least some of the engines in the Crosley automobile (yes that’s the same Crosley who made refrigerators and radios) used the same design. Fortunately, the valve train was one of the more reliable components of the engine. It was a single camshaft overhead valve engine.
I think that you had better do some research on your Ford V-8 “monoblock” engine. You will find that it was the first of the V-8s to have the cylinders cast with the crankcase. The heads and exhaust manifolds were separate items and very popular hop up items at that.
There were engines built as you describe. Bugatti had several and only their performance kept them in demand as a valve job requires removal of the crankshaft and pistons from the engine. Interestingly, at least some of the engines in the Crosley automobile (yes that’s the same Crosley who made refrigerators and radios) used the same design. Fortunately, the valve train was one of the more reliable components of the engine. It was a single camshaft overhead valve engine.
Dude, no.
The Ford Flathead was a monoblock, and exhaust gasses passed THROUGH the block, making cooling difficult. Not the same as having an exhaust manifold like the Lotus per se.
The valves were also built into the motor.
So, ya, monoblock.
Swish.
Dude, no.
The Ford Flathead was a monoblock, and exhaust gasses passed THROUGH the block, making cooling difficult. Not the same as having an exhaust manifold like the Lotus per se.
The valves were also built into the motor.
So, ya, monoblock.
Swish.
I wonder how this stacks up, (weight, size and mpg), against the Capstone C30 gas turbine genset in the Ford S-Max? Although the S-Max wasn’t set up to use propane, the C30 could burn it too.
I wonder how this stacks up, (weight, size and mpg), against the Capstone C30 gas turbine genset in the Ford S-Max? Although the S-Max wasn’t set up to use propane, the C30 could burn it too.
PS- ETV Motors also uses a gas turbine in its Prius mule.
PS- ETV Motors also uses a gas turbine in its Prius mule.
PPS- the CHP application is a neat idea. Honda is looking into an ORC genset to capture heat to electricity from its hybrid engines and this would further charge EREVs if added to this genset or gas turbines. If they could get it just a little smaller and package it for portability, it could be rented to EVers as a auxiliary range extender for weekend trips or delivered by AAA for stranded EVers.
PPS- the CHP application is a neat idea. Honda is looking into an ORC genset to capture heat to electricity from its hybrid engines and this would further charge EREVs if added to this genset or gas turbines. If they could get it just a little smaller and package it for portability, it could be rented to EVers as a auxiliary range extender for weekend trips or delivered by AAA for stranded EVers.
Car companies that still does not have experience in hybrid motors should develop faster their hybrid cars and beat the Market. Then, with time, they could develop their own motor models.
The equation is simple. The first developers has a lot of expenses in electric motors, but high revenues in market. If you can develop your car and not have to invest in the motor, could be a very good option just in the actual crisis economy.
Once the electric cars rules, a lot of new technologies and innovations will appear.
Good luck Lotus!!!!
Car companies that still does not have experience in hybrid motors should develop faster their hybrid cars and beat the Market. Then, with time, they could develop their own motor models.
The equation is simple. The first developers has a lot of expenses in electric motors, but high revenues in market. If you can develop your car and not have to invest in the motor, could be a very good option just in the actual crisis economy.
Once the electric cars rules, a lot of new technologies and innovations will appear.
Good luck Lotus!!!!