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Hybrid Power: IC engine to generator to motor

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orion

R.I.P.
Joined
Mar 2, 2003
Messages
5,800
Location
Western Washington
Per several requests, here is a new thread for the discussion of power configurations that resemble that of the diesel locomotive or a few of the hybrid cars available today.

I know that in previous posts that have touched on this technology the general feeling has always been that there is a weight inefficiency due to the extra hardware. After all, if you have the combustion engine, why add a generator/controller/motor into the mix. You don't save anything and you add complexity. And a quick overview of the situation reveals that it's a reasonable argument.

However, based on several other variables like not needing a reduction drive and being able to place the engine/generator almost anywhere, some benefits become apparent. High torque/power electric motors are simple and relatively small, which from a configurational standpoint is pretty exciting since that can lead to all sorts of clean and/or remote installations. And if we ever get the magic batteries we all want, the IC engine/generator can then be replaced with the new storage devices.

But for the sake of this thread, let's try to keep the discussion away from gee-whiz technologies for now and concentrate on a workable solution to the concept brought up by Karolina. I think this idea would allow for a simpler, more accommodating use of smaller, high rpm engines that can generate significant power levels at crank speeds that would make most of us sweat.

And the discussion need not stay there - larger engines would of course generate more options and possibly wider applications.
 
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