- #1
PRDan4th
- 51
- 0
Why can't we improve the efficiency (miles/gallon) of ICE autos?
It seems to me there are two areas that can be used to add efficiency:
1) Heat recovery with some form of a "bottoming cycle" to generate additional torque or electricity from heat lost in the radiator, and
2) Breaking energy - generating electricity from engaging an alternator when the brake pedal is used, or maybe when the driver takes his foot of the gas. A lot of energy is wasted in breaking.
These may be more important in hybrid vehicles where electricity is being used in a greater proportion of the fuel mix.
Has anyone here looked at this?
It seems to me there are two areas that can be used to add efficiency:
1) Heat recovery with some form of a "bottoming cycle" to generate additional torque or electricity from heat lost in the radiator, and
2) Breaking energy - generating electricity from engaging an alternator when the brake pedal is used, or maybe when the driver takes his foot of the gas. A lot of energy is wasted in breaking.
These may be more important in hybrid vehicles where electricity is being used in a greater proportion of the fuel mix.
Has anyone here looked at this?