High MPG

[Gary Derian]

The thermodynamics of Sterling, Wankle, turbine are all governed by the same
laws.  Low temperature compression, high temperature expansion.  This is
what drives efficiency.  These alternatives all have their place in the
world but none of them offer an increase in efficiency.

In my opinion, the best currently available technology is a hybrid vehicle:
electric drive, small battery for acceleration, small diesel to generate the
average power needed and regenerative braking.  Toyota even builds one for
sale, but with gasoline at $1 a gallon, its just not worth it.
Gary Derian <gderian at cybergate.net>

From: Raymond C Drouillard <cosmic.ray at juno.com>

>On Mon, 04 May 1998 14:57:45 -0700 Frederic Breitwieser
><frederic.breitwieser at xephic.dynip.com> writes:
>>>Ceramic parts which operate without cooling and greater expansion
>ratios can
>>>reduce this energy wastage.  None of which has anything to do with
>pushrods.
>>
>>Hello Gary,
>>
>>I didn't mean to imply that the pushrods are the culprit, I was merely
>>commenting that the 100 year old design has outlived its practicality,
>and
>>that new engineering should take place.
>>
>>
>>Frederic Breitwieser
>>Bridgeport, CT 06606
>>
>>Homebrew Automotive Website:
>>http://www.xephic.dynip.com/
>>
>>1993 Supercharged Lincoln Continental
>>1989 HMMWV
>>2000 Buick-Powered Mid-Engined Sports Car
>
>I have seen several ideas tried, but none of them seemed to make the big
>time.  The otto-cycle engine has also had a hundred years of of
>refinement.  The Wankyl, Stirling, and turbine engine simply don't have
>all those thousands of hours of research and refinement behind them.  The
>auto companies could make a go of it with the other designs, but the cost
>of the research would force them to charge a lot for the cars.  So far,
>nobody is willing to take that big of a risk.  We'll have to see
>something that is clearly superior before the auto manufactures get the
>courage to put the research necessary into it.
>
>We could, no doubt, get a Stirling engine to run well enough to power a
>car.  The first few would have enough problems to make the owners wish
>for a good 'ol gasoline burner that "never gave me any trouble".
>
>Maybe the next major change in engine technology will be a steam turbine
>powered by cold fusion.  Just put some coils or magnets around the edge
>of the turbine and draw the power off electromagnetically.  Make the
>turbine and housing out of ceramic, use magnetic bearings, and just keep
>it running all the time to keep the temperature up to operating
>temperature.
>
>Anyhow, I fear that I have strayed off subject a tad.  It'll be
>interesting to see how many people swear that the whole cold fusion thing
>is a hoax, how many believe that it works and has been supressed by the
>oil companys, and how many people (such as myself) think that there
>simply hasn't been enough clean research to draw a firm conclusion one
>way or the other ("I keep telling Orville and Wilbur that powered flight
>simply can't work!")
>
>Ray Drouillard