IC Engine converted to hybrid air engine

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of converting an internal combustion engine (ICE) into a hybrid air engine that utilizes compressed air for energy storage and propulsion. Participants explore the feasibility, technical challenges, and existing technologies related to this hybrid system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a hybrid vehicle design that uses braking energy to compress air, which is then stored and used to power the engine during acceleration.
  • Another participant questions the practicality of the design, suggesting calculations are needed to determine the amount of air produced during braking, the size and weight of the storage tank, and the power output from the compressed air.
  • A later reply mentions that prototypes of similar systems exist, highlighting the challenge of perfecting camless valvetrains as a significant hurdle to implementation.
  • Another participant references the use of pneumatic and electromagnetic valve trains in Formula 1 and Moto GP, suggesting that such technologies could be relevant to the proposed hybrid system.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of optimism and skepticism regarding the feasibility of the hybrid air engine concept. While some acknowledge the technical possibility, others raise concerns about practical implementation and existing technological challenges. No consensus is reached on the viability of the proposed system.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the need for specific calculations regarding air compression and storage, as well as the unresolved technical challenges related to valve train technology. The discussion does not resolve these issues.

mfritze
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
I was thinking the other day about a possible hybrid conversion vehicle that could store braking energy as compressed air. The setup is like this:

The engine valves are all electric solenoid controlled. When the motor is running on gasoline it run like any other 4-stroke IC engine. There is another valve drilled into the engine head. This valve remains closed during IC engine operation.When the driver brakes, the engine cylinder changes into a compressor. It changes into a two stroke system --drawing air into the cylinder on the down stroke, and compressing the air through the extra valve into a storage tank on the upstroke.

When the car accelerates again, and the pressure in the storage tank is high enough -- the fuel flow is shut off and the pressurized air blasted into the chamber to provide the power stroke.

Please tell me why this won't work --some of the unsurmountable obstacles. I can already imagine that the piston heads might fail at compressing the tank to higher pressures. I don't know much about engines, and some auto engineer has surely thought of this --so why aren't there vehicles today that operate like this?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Yes, it's technically possible. Is it worth it?

Work out the following:

- How much air, at what pressure, could you produce when braking from say 70mph to 10mph?

- How big would a storage tank need to be to safely transport that air under that pressure? How much would it weigh?

- How much power, for what length of time, can you get from expanding the air stored in the tank above?
 
Well, as suspected, others have thought of this and even have prototypes. I guess the biggest hurtle to implementation is perfecting camless valvetrains.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/02/compressed-air-car-pneumatic-hybrid-system.php
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

Direct Air Injection Engine Question
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
2K
Can a Rotary Engine Efficiently Charge Batteries in Hybrid Vehicles?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
IC Engine Question -- Starting sequence for 4-stroke engine
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Compressed Air Engine Calculations
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Compressed Air Engine Calculations
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
How important is it to keep an air motor warm?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Automotive Design Factors for ICE Peak HP versus RPM?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
A practical way to vaporize fuel for high MPG?
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
4K
Could a Reverse Uni-Flow Engine Revolutionize the Automotive Industry?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
6K
Are these internal combusion (IC) engine claims physically possible?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K