Hybrid minivan is coming.. and no it is not HEV

I wonder how they are going to get around the loudness that pretty much scrapped those other projects mentioned.

 

Submarines have quite a bit of double hull to insulate. I imagine a double hull minivan would be a land boat in more than one way.

 

At least car makers will not need to install "noise maker" then.

 

Maybe they use a scroll compressor.

 

I know there are safety concerns for batteries and 200+v wiring but what about 5,000 psi boiling hot hydraulic fluid? EEK!

 

I have been waiting for hydraulic since 1994. It was developed during PNGV.

 

Well you definitely don't want to cut the high pressure line. The reservoir should be large enough that the fluid cools down on the return.

 

I'm just saying in an accident.

I am sure there will be well thought out safety measures. I just remember the couple times our 4000psi air compressors lifted the 3rd stage relief on the ship and it was like a shotgun going off 3 decks below. 3rd stage was probably 1500psi or so. When those lifted I would get scared to be anywhere near those machines because if it lifted while I was taking logs I would probably leave a log of my own.

 

Oh and I want to say that I believe hydraulic hybrids are the key for larger vehicles.

 

I hope they succeed. It's always good to have as many different R&D teams around the world working on solutions. That way, new discoveries come about faster. The hydraulic system could turn out to be a great technology. It can then compete with battery systems, causing both to race to innovate and be more and more efficient.

BillnChristy, I think I've read that somewhere before. I think Waste Management was experimenting with hydraulic hybrids on garbage trucks.

 

I just don't think batteries can do it, large vehicles are already heavy then we need electricity to move them and the batteries add more weight...its an endless cycle of capacity vs. capability.

 

I just thought about one drawback.
It will be very difficult to convert to a plug-in, wouldn't it?

 

But just imagine the performance gains using different oils, filters, faster cycling valves...high performance hydraulics would be a whole new market.

 

You just put it on a large treadmill.

 

Another interesting thought is I have never seen a hydraulic system that didn't leak...Some would say they haven't seen a Chrysler product that didn't leak something, could be a double whammy.

 

Not really. You can use a really smaller compressor running on 120VAC to pressurize the system before you go. Waste heat from pressurization can even go into the cabin.

 

Yes, that was what I meant too. Cut in an accident, or cut by emergency personnel while trying to remove passengers, etc.

It could potentially be worse than cutting a high voltage line.

A good safety feature would be to use valves to shut the system at every possible point during an accident, especially at the beginning and end of lines. Then the only fluid that can leak is a few ounces. You can use an explosive mechanism similar to ones in airbags to actuate the valves.