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Aura Introduces "Hybrid" Diesel Truck

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by efusco, Sep 13, 2006.

  1. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    The Gen-a-Sys system provides continuous electric power of up to 5,000 watts of electricity with the APU engine running and 3,000 watts when the APU engine is off. The driver activates the system by a push of a button mounted next to the steering wheel. When the APU engine is on, 5 kW of power is available to run the electrical loads and charge up the on-board battery complement. When the APU engine is turned off, the AuraGen APU 5,000 automatically and seamlessly provides power from the auxiliary battery pack that is sized to meet the operating time required by the customer. The system automatically monitors the batteries' charge and when the batteries' charge is low, the APU small engine automatically turns on and recharges the batteries using an optimum charging methodology. As soon as the batteries are charged, the APU engine automatically turns off and the system seamlessly returns to engine-off mode.

    http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060913/20060913005329.html?.v=1
     
    #1 efusco, Sep 13, 2006
  2. Marlin

    Marlin New Member

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    It's not a hybrid in the way we think of it. It's just a truck (big tractor-trailer type truck) with a fancy power generator to supply electricity when the drive engine is off, such as when the driver is sleeping in the cabin at a rest area. The hybrid system has nothing to do with moving the truck, and sounds like it's even turned off when the truck is driving somewhere.
     
    #2 Marlin, Sep 13, 2006
  3. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Marlin @ Sep 13 2006, 08:50 AM) [snapback]318885[/snapback]</div>
    Hence my "quotes" around the word hybrid in the title.
    This is pretty much what Chevy did with their Silverado "hybrid". Still, I'd rather something like this than see 50 huge semis sitting and idling all night long in a parking lot....what a waste.
     
    #3 efusco, Sep 13, 2006
  4. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    i've always thought they should just build hybrid trailers... kinda like electronic brake assist.. but better.. it will match your acceleration and braking.. but have regenerative braking.. the top of the trailor can be solar panel lined.... or make the truck a hybrid.. but keep the solar panels on the trailor, and the battery packs between the rear wheels. so, when trailors sit.. they can charge for the next shipment.

    Yeah.. doesn't sound like much of a "full hybrid".. simply a mild hybrid if that.. it keeps that engine from running during idle time though. how ever long it last, that's a 4mpg drain that's eliminated. good for them. we all have to start somewhere.
     
    #4 V8Cobrakid, Sep 13, 2006
  5. Marlin

    Marlin New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(V8Cobrakid @ Sep 13 2006, 12:56 PM) [snapback]318987[/snapback]</div>
    It's not even a "mild" hybrid. The "hybrid system" is a generator used to provide electricity for the driver's TV, computer, A/C, etc. while he's parked in the truck stop. Currently, the drivers usually leave the engine idling all night long to provide their electricity. This truck uses batteries and a small auxillary engine to provide the electricity. As the article states, it is a "Hybrid APU", which I assume stands for auxillary power unit. So this "hybrid system" has nothing to do with actually driving the truck and does not, for instance, allow the engine to automatically shut off at traffic lights and such.

    However, as efusco says, it would allow drivers to stop idling their engines all night long while they're sleeping in the cabin.
     
    #5 Marlin, Sep 13, 2006
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