COMPRESSED AIR TECHNOLOGYVEHICLES

PRESENTED BY:KESHAV GOYAL

Objectives

In this module, you will learn :

INTRODUCTION TO COMPRESSED AIR TECHNOLOGY

OPERATING PRINCIPLES OF MDI AIR CAR ENGINE

DESIGN OF COMPRESSED AIR VEHICLE

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE TECHNOLOGIES IMPLEMENTED IN DESIGN OF VARIOUS SYSTEMS IN AIR CAR.

INTRODUCTION

• Charles B. Hodges is remembered as true father of compressed air concept being the first person to invent a car driven by compressed air.

• Guy Nègre, a French engineer and head of R&D facility at Moteur Development International designed a low consumption and low pollution engine that runs on compressed air.

• He invented a dual-energy engine running on both compressed air as well as on gasoline; then managed to create a compressed air only engine.

• Compressed air is a new viable form of power that allows the accumulation and transport of energy.

INTRODUCTION

• CAT vehicles are powered by air engine which uses compressed air as fuel.

• Focus on developing ecological energies; conceive and produce non pollutant vehicles and systems.

• CAT vehicles have significant economical and environmental advantages.

• With incorporation of bi-energy CAT vehicles have increased driving range to close to 2000 km with zero pollution in cities.

COMPRESSED AIR ENGINE

Developed between end of 2001 and beginning of 2002.

Two technologies have been invented to meet different needs: Single energy compressed air engines and Dual energy compressed air engines.

Engine will be able to use gasoline, gas oil, bio-diesel, liquidized gas, ecological fuel, alcohol etc.

Engines will be available with 2,4 and 6 cylinders.

Oil change is only necessary every 50,000 km.

CONSTRACTION OF CAT CHASSIS

METHOD AND DEVICES FOR ELIMINATING POLLUTION OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ADDITIONAL THERMAL HEATING

FIG-2

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FIG-3

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FIG-4

PROCESS DESCRIPTION

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ARTICULATED CON-ROD

The MDI con-rod system allows the piston to be held at Top Dead Centre for 70 degrees of the crank rotation, so enough time is given to create the pressure in the cylinder.

DISTRIBUTION AND VALVES

Simple electromagnetic distribution system which controls the flow of air to engine.

No clutch is necessary. The engine is idle when car is stationary and vehicle is started by magnetic plate which re- engages the compressed air.

While car is running on fossil fuels, the compressor refills the compressed air tanks.

The control system maintains a zero pollution emission in city at speeds up to 60 km/h.

GEAR BOX AND MOTO-ALTERNATOR

Gear changes are automatic, powered by electronic system developed by MDI.

This gearbox achieves the objectives of seamless changes and minimal energy consumption.

Moto-alternator connects the engine to the gearbox, supports the CAT´s motor to allow the tanks to be refilled, as an alternator it produces brake power, starts the vehicle and provides extra power when necessary.

COMPRESSED AIR TANKS

The compressed air tank is a glass or carbon-fiber tank, holding 80 kg of air compressed to 300 bars.

This system is not dangerous as in the case of a major accident, where the tanks are ruptured, they would not explode since they are not made of metal, instead they would crack, as they are made of carbon fiber.

The tanks in CATs vehicles are composed of an interior thermoplastic container which ensures it is airtight, is held in a coiled and crossed carbon fiber shell.

BRAKE POWER RECOVERY AND BODY DESIGN

The MDI vehicles will be equipped with a range of modern systems, i.e. one mechanism stops the engine when the car is stationary (at traffic lights, junctions etc.)

Another interesting feature is regenerative braking system which recovers about 13% of the power used.

The MDI car body is built with fiber and injected foam.

Two main advantages: cost and weight.

Nowadays the use of sheet steel for car bodies is only because it is cheaper to serially produce sheet steel bodies than fiber ones, however, fiber is safer (it doesn´t cut like steel), is easier to repair (it is glued), doesn´t rust etc.

AIR CAR COMPONENTS

THE AIR FILTER AND THE CHASSIS DESIGN

Before compression, the air must be filtered to get rid of any impurities that could damage the engine; carbon filters are used to eliminate dirt, dust, humidity and other particles; the exhaust pipe on the MDI cars produces clean air, which is cold on exit (between -15º and 0º) and is harmless to human life.

MDI has put together highly-resistant, yet light, chassis, aluminum rods glued together; using rods enables to build a more shock-resistant chassis than regular chassis. Additionally, the rods are glued in the same way as aircraft, allowing quick assembly and a more secure join than with welding, helps to reduce manufacture time.

AIR CAR BODY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND OTHER FEATURES

Guy Nègre acquired the patent for an interesting invention for installing electrics in a vehicle; using a radio transmission system, each electrical component receives signals with a microcontroller.

The air car body is tubular and is held together using aerospace technology.

Air car does not have normal speed gauges. Instead it has small computer screen that shows the engine speed.

In single energy mode, it consumes less than euro every 100 km that is to say about 6 times lesser than a gasoline powered car.

COST, REFUELLING & MILEAGE

The Air Car could cost around Rs. 3.45 lacs in India.

It would have a range of around 160-300 km between refuels.

The cost of a refill would be about Rs. 120

The car has a top speed of 105 Kmph (about 65mph).

Its mileage is about double that of the most advanced electric car (200 to 300 km or 10 hours of driving), a factor which makes a perfect choice in cities where 80% of motorists drive at less than 60 Km.

COMPARISON WITH ELECTRICAL VEHICLES

REFUELLING

SUMMARY

Compressed air technology allows for engines that are both non-polluting and economical.

Unlike electric and hydrogen powered vehicles, compressed air vehicles are not expensive and do not have a limited driving range.

Compressed air vehicles are affordable and have a performance rate that stands up to current standards.

The air car is a clean, easy to drive, high performance car. MDI has achieved what the large car manufactures have promised in a hundred years time.

The end product is a light weight vehicle that can reach speeds up to 220 km/h (even though the legal limit is 120), does not pollute like twentieth century vehicles and does not take a lifetime to pay off.

The principle advantages for an air powered vehicle are: Fast recharge time; Long storage lifetime (electric vehicle batteries have a limited useful number of cycles, and sometimes a limited calendar lifetime, irrespective of use); Potentially lower initial cost than battery electric vehicles when mass produced.

Thank You !!!