Chevy Volt, only $41,000 - Page 3

 



In the embodiment of the "Aircar" the idea of an air-powered vehicle has all of
the earmarks of a persistent investment scam.  For about a decade now, their
vehicles have been due on the road "next year".

The fact is that air is not a great vehicle for energy storage.

First, there are the laws of gas thermodynamics to complicate things.  When you
compress a gas, it gets hot.  That heat represents waste energy.  Further; when
you expand a gas, it gets cold, which keeps it from properly expanding, which
means that you do not retrieve all of your stored energy.  You can add
complexity to your compressors and air engines to reduce the thermodynamic
losses, but that adds weight, bulk, and cost.

Second; storing energy as a compressed gas takes heavy, bulky, and expensive
tanks.  Even then, today's batteries probably give you better storage density.

Third; making an efficient air motor is not as simple as you may think.  It
takes several stages of expansion to efficiently extract the energy from high
pressure compressed gas.  Again, multiple stage engines add bulk, weight, and
cost.

One potential advantage of an air-powered vehicle might be quick recharging
compared to a battery vehicle.

Vaughn

 




Tata, one of the world's largest vehicle makers (they make Jaguar and Range
Rover) seriously took it up. Do you think they are stupid?

 



That's been 2 years ago.  Look out your front door.  See any Aircars?  Thought
not.

I notice that you never have anything to add about the science and engineering
issues of the Aircar.

Vaughn

 



That is not the point. The point is that it technically works when you said
it would not.  Whether there is market for it is another matters entirely.

The Chevy Volt's setup.  A genny set proving power to a driving electric
motors, has been viable for near 30 years, once engine management system
became viable because is microprocessors.  Why are we only just see one on
the market now.  You are the sort that 25 years ago would have said it is
not as GM are not making them.

 




   Wrong again.  That IS the point.


   Wrong again.  I have explained many times why it won't work.  You refuse to
be bothered with reality.


     If it worked, there would likely be a market for it.  But is doesn't, so
the question is academic

Vaughn