Software Gas

[Plane]

SOFTWARE PATCH
A researcher at Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (Eindhoven, the
Netherlands) has developed a software patch that can increase a car’s
fuel effciency to a total fuel savings of 2.6%, without having to
replace any of the parts of the car. Uploading a software patch to the
car’s computer and adding one small cable suffices.

Via the patch, excess power can be used to charge the car battery. The
generator can be turned off when it is inefficient for the engine to
power it, which leads to reduced fuel consumption. The car can also
brake electrically, generating energy that can be stored in the
battery. Finally, it is possible to partly shut off the electric energy
systems, such as rear-window and seat heating, for further improvement
of the power supply system.

For more information, visit: http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20070306A2

[Amianthus]

Note: the above solution is only for hybrid cars.

Another solution was implemented by Ford for my car (the Five Hundred with eCVT). The engine is decoupled from the accelerator, and the computer uses the changes in the pedal position to adjust the engine speed and transmission parameters, rather than the pedal directly interfacing with the engine.

[Plane]

I thought it was for ordinary cars , I may have misunderstood.


How much would an ordinary car benefit from decoupleing the alternator when it was not needed?

[Amianthus]

How much would an ordinary car benefit from decoupleing the alternator when it was not needed?

Not much. Modern cars run all the "extras" off one belt, which is turning all the time. Since you would then be running all the accessories from the battery, the alternator would need to run more to keep the battery topped off. Might also limit battery life in an ordinary car (which is not designed to have frequent charge / discharge cycles, as are the batteries in a hybrid). There is some energy loss, but it can't be much. Alternators are changing to reduce energy loss anyway, with oil cooling and other new features.

[Plane]

How much would an ordinary car benefit from decoupleing the alternator when it was not needed?

Not much. Modern cars run all the "extras" off one belt, which is turning all the time. Since you would then be running all the accessories from the battery, the alternator would need to run more to keep the battery topped off. Might also limit battery life in an ordinary car (which is not designed to have frequent charge / discharge cycles, as are the batteries in a hybrid). There is some energy loss, but it can't be much. Alternators are changing to reduce energy loss anyway, with oil cooling and other new features.

What do you thnk of useing a bank of supercapacitors to replace or back up the battery?

http://www.supercapacitors.com/

http://www.maxwell.com/news-events/release.asp?PRID=226

[Amianthus]

What do you thnk of useing a bank of supercapacitors to replace or back up the battery?

That can be done, however, you'd still not see much savings by disconnecting the alternator - it doesn't cause much engine drag in modern cars to start with.

Like I said earlier, Ford's move to the eCVT on my car does more to reduce engine wastage. The computer can more closely match the engine output to the needs of the vehicle because of the infinite "gear" ratios (no gears in a CVT). There is also no wasting of energy while the transmission shifts (since it doesn't shift).

[Plane]

What about an Alternator that has two or more sets of windings?

Useing the full set only when power demand is full.

The switching could be solid state , activateing or removeing from service sets of windings depending on the power requirement sensed by the computer.

[Amianthus]

What about an Alternator that has two or more sets of windings?

Useing the full set only when power demand is full.

The switching could be solid state , activateing or removeing from service sets of windings depending on the power requirement sensed by the computer.

Interesting idea. I think they're using a similar setup on larger vehicles already, don't know how much of a savings it accomplishes. Cadillac has a setup (their Northstar engine) that shuts off pairs of cylinders when engine demand is lower, I know that saves quite a bit of fuel.