Hybrid Airplane Concept Moves Forward

Diamond Aircraft and electronics giant, Siemens, are moving forward on plans for an experimental hybrid airplane based on Diamond’s existing DA 40 twin engine aircraft, reports AVWeb.

The plan is to mount two electric motors on pylons connected to the front engine compartment rather than positioned in the normal position on the wings. That arrangement would permit a single diesel engine driving a generator to be mounted in the usual engine location.

According to Diamond CEO, Christian Dries, the “two electric motors… each weigh less than 30 pounds but deliver 85 kilowatts or 114 horsepower. The aircraft will use some 440 pounds of lithium ion batteries mounted where the backseat would normally be, so it will be limited to two occupants. Typical cruise speeds [would be] 110 to 120 knots, [and] the airplane would have 10 hours of endurance, burning 6 to 7 liters (1.8 gallons) per hour.” That is about one tenth the fuel consumption of a conventional twin engine small airplane that consumes nearly 11 gallons or fuel per hour at normal cruising speed and altitude.

During the testing phase, the companies will experiment with some of the ideas NASA has developed for its GL1o electric vertical take off and landing (VTOL) prototype.

Did it seem just a few years ago that the concept of a diesel electric hybrid airplane was too far out to even consider? Not any more.

New Koenigsegg Regera revealed

Swedish supercar maker unveils its new hybrid model, featuring a V8 engine and three electric motors

The first hybrid created by Koenigsegg is powered by the combination of a V8 engine and three electric motors – one on each rear wheel and one on the crankshaft.

The Regera features a softer front-end design than the Agera and comes with large front air intakes, a front diffuser, a wrap-around windscreen and a prominent roof scoop. At the rear, the new model gets an Akrapovic-developed exhaust which exits from a rear diffuser, above which is the Regera’s charging port.

The Regera’s large rear spoiler contributes to a total downforce of 450kg at 155mph. The model sits on carbonfibre wheels – 19in at the front and 20in at the rear – and features ventilated ceramic brake discs at all four corners.

Output from the Regera’s 5.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine is 1085bhp at 7800rpm. However, the added 697bhp coming from the electric motors produces a total system output of 1782bhp and combined torque of 1549lb ft.

Koenigsegg says the Regera is the most powerful production car in existence, with its outputs significantly eclipsing the likes of theMcLaren P1, LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder.

According to the car maker, it will cover 0-250mph in under 20sec, 95-155mph in 3.2sec and 0-62mph in around 2.8sec. It has also revealed that the Regera will run up to 20mph on electric power only.

The key to its performance is its relatively lightweight hybrid set-up. Although the Regera is not referred to as a traditional hybrid, the model does feature a new Koenigsegg Direct Drive (KDD) transmission which, the company says, can reduce energy losses by up to 50% compared with traditional transmissions and CVTs.

Despite the huge power output of the Regera, Andreas Petre, Koenigsegg’s director of sales in Asia, Middle East, Africa and Oceana, said it wouldn’t be difficult to drive on the road: “It has very sophisticated ESP, traction control, active chassis and aerodynamics. It’s like a very fast Tesla with a beautiful sound."

Just 80 examples of the Regera will be made over the next five to six years, and each will cost $1.89 million (around £1.23m) before tax.

The Swedish manufacturer also showed off the Agera RS at Geneva. The latest evolution of the Agera supercar is track-focused and boasts upgraded bodywork, active aerodynamics and more power.

“2-in-1” Electric Motors Could Boost EV Range By 20%

So much focus on improving the range of electric vehicles seems to focus on the battery pack, but advances in motor technology are equally important. Green Car Congress reports that a “2-in-1” electric motor design with an integrated A/C compressor could increase the range of electric vehicles by 15 or 20%.

Engineers from Nanyang Technological University and the German Aerospace Centre have developed an electric motor where both the traction and compressor drive units are fitted in the same housing, reducing complexity and improving energy regeneration during braking. Engineers estimate that this system alone can reduce battery usage by at least 3%, and as much as 8% on its own.

With additional modifications, the system can improve range by as much as 20% using today’s available battery technology. In the Tesla Model S, an extra 20% of driving range would be good for more 300 miles of range per charge, and even in the Nissan LEAF it would add another 14 or 15 miles between charges. Air conditioning is a huge power draw in electric cars, causing range sometimes to drop by 10 or more miles.

It’s this kind of clever thinking that’s going to help EVs compete with conventional cars in a few more years, along with better batteries and better chargers.

Source: Green Car Congress

Rimac Offering Electric Motors for Small-volume Carmakers

In their bid to emulate the success that boutique engine builders once enjoyed, Rimac is offering a series of electric motors, batteries, controllers, and driveline components that should be just the ticket to take any would-be electric supercar or racecar constructor from daydream to production reality.

Good. On. Them.

For a bit of context, consider that, in a Bob Lutz-certified ‘lectric car future, batteries will be big business. Electric motors, controllers, and software will be big business, too. The first supplier to get all those systems right and be able to offer a cost-effective and energy-efficient “plug n’ play” drivetrain to small-volume niche carmakers like Lotus, Nemesis, and TommyKaira will be positioned to make big money. Rimac gets that, and they’ve set the stage perfectly.

A Little Background on Rimac

Rimac began making waves back in 2011 with a crazy-fast BMW E30 converted to electric power that, by the way, is still setting records. Confusingly, they followed up the go-fast BMW act with the 1000+ hp, Ferrari-stomping Concept_One supercar. Here we are, then, at Act 3 of Rimac’s little stage act, and it all makes sense. This was Rimac’s endgame all along, and it’s nothing less than a plan to emulate the small-volume engine-building dominance that companies like Cosworth and Ilmor enjoyed in the last generation.

This is textbook Diffusion of Innovations stuff. Rimac tested the product quietly in their E30, and got the attention of the earliest adopters and EV champions. Next, they built a 1000 hp supercar that they never intended to be a money-maker, but which got the attention of those car enthusiasts that might serve as the early majority down the road. They got the attention of boutique carmakers by targeting their king, Ferrari, at a racetrack and stomping the Ferrari soundly. Now? You want to beat a Ferrari in a supercar with your own name on it? Rimac has the hardware – and software! – you need to do it.

It’s so smart, I’m actually jealous. Here’s Rimac’s official press release, below.

June 3rd, 2013. – The Rimac R&D team developed both the Concept_One and the technology under the carbon-fiber skin in order to achieve the Concept_One’s remarkable performance. Various industries and individuals can now benefit from this technology. Rimac Automobili is now offering cutting-edge technology and their services to the industry and individuals. The company’s newly updated web-site will lead you into the world of outstanding innovation and technology.

Founder and CEO of Rimac Automobili, Mate Rimac says: “Pioneers have always been at the forefront of technological advancement of mankind. Rimac Automobili has challenged the status-quo by having the vision to revolutionize and reinvent the sportscar with its unique technology. Today we are excited to offer customers the opportunity to use our technology and know-how to create new and exciting products. Our biggest advantage is that we are to deliver the full service – powertrain, batteries, design, chassis, moulds, body-work, infotainment systems and many other aspects of the vehicle. We can lead the entire process from the idea to the finished product under one roof, what enables us to act fast and efficient. Being a car manufacturer ourselves, we know what it takes to develop a car and how hard it can be to integrate systems from various suppliers. Now it is possible to source everything from one address.”

Rimac Automobili’s CTO, Igor Pongrac explains that Rimac Automobili drivetrain systems deliver unmatched performance combined with very high energy and packaging efficiency. The high level of integration makes these systems the ideal choice for high-performance applications. Every component is matched perfectly to the entire system which results in the most power-dense systems on the market. It is also important to mention that Rimac Automobili powertrain and battery systems are designed to suit in a variety of applications – not necessarily automotive. The modular design of these components enables to be adapted fast and cost effective according to the wishes of every customer. Motors and Transmissions, Battery Systems and BMS, Power Distribution and Management, Infotainment Systems, Low Voltage Electric Systems and a variety of Auxiliary systems are only some of them as Rimac Automobili constantly engages into development activities.

Source | Photos: Rimac.

How Plasma TVs Led To Smaller Electric-Car Motor

All that sitting in front of the TV watching bad sitcoms could pay off, if a new electric motor proves successful in field trials.

A startup in Melbourne, Australia, has developed a new motor for use in an electric-powered Holden Commodore.

There's nothing wildly special about that, but the new, more efficient design was only possible due to the popularity of plasma televisions bringing down the cost of certain electrical components.

According to GoAuto, the motor, developed by David Jahshan and his company Axiflux, is claimed to be smaller, lighter and less expensive than existing designs.

The new motor will feature in one of a test fleet of electric Commodores from EV Engineering. It develops 150 kW of power (201 horsepower), and a massive 2,065 pounds-feet of torque. For comparison, the standard EV Engineering Commodores develop similar power, but "just" 295 lb-ft of torque.

At the same time, it's claimed to be 30 percent more efficient, and 79 pounds lighter--both highly advantageous for increasing driving range.

There are other benefits too. The existing electric Commodore test vehicles use a heavily modified rear subframe to accommodate the electric motor. So compact is the new motor, it could fit within the space of the differential in the gasoline model, keeping engineering changes to a minimum.

Part of the motor's efficiency is down to 23 embedded micro-controllers that adjust power consumption according to the immediate needs of the driver and vehicle. A few years ago, these controllers could have cost $50 AUS ($52) each, but now cost only $2. Why? Because similar units are used in plasma TVs, and the units' ubiquity has brought down the cost.

The units mean that parts of the motor can effectively be shut down, depending on the load. This increases efficiency above that of regular motors.

Another benefit is that the separate controllers eliminate the need for a separate power inverter, helping reduce the unit's size and improving packaging.

Axiflux is taking out patents worldwide for the motor, which Jahshan says will actually be quite easy to build--and inexpensive as a result.

So keep watching that television folks--you never know what electric vehicle technology will spring up next!

Source: Green Car Reports

Daimler and Bosch to establish joint venture for electric motors

PRESS RELEASE

• Development, production, and sales of electric motors for all-electric vehicles
• Production start-up planned for 2012
• Locations in Hildesheim and Stuttgart

Stuttgart – Daimler AG and Robert Bosch GmbH plan to expand their long-standing partnership and cooperate in the development and production of electric motors for all-electric vehicles in Europe. The companies have signed a letter of intent and begun negotiations to establish a 50:50 joint venture that should be concluded in the first half of 2011.

Both companies aim, by bundling their competencies, to accelerate development advances in electric motors as well as to make accordant synergies accessible. According to their letter of intent, joint production should start in 2012. It is envisioned that the electric motors developed will be used in Mercedes-Benz and smart electric vehicles from 2012. Subsequent sales to other automakers are to be handled by Bosch. The joint activites will be located in the greater Stuttgart area and in Hildesheim.

The Bosch Group is a leading supplier of technology and services to the automotive sector. It has a high level of competence in developing and producing electric motors, which it is already manufacturing in series in Hildesheim.

The automotive manufacturer Daimler has built up 20 years of experience in the area of electric vehicles as well as their key components electric motor and battery, giving it a comprehensive understanding of how results can be best achieved in this field.

Toshiba to Build Drive Motors for Electrified Vehicles in the U.S. - Wins Major Contract from Ford Motor Company -

PRESS RELEASE:

23 Jun, 2010

Houston, Texas, June 22, 2010 – Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) will expand manufacturing capacity at its plant in Houston, Texas for production of high-performance drive motors for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs).

The production will be Toshiba's first overseas manufacturing base for automotive propulsion motors which are currently produced in Mie Prefecture, Japan. The decision follows the awarding of a major contract to supply drive motors for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles for Ford Motor Company.

"Toshiba recognizes the importance of localizing production within North America to ensure long term growth and make a commitment to the North American market," said Shinichiro Akiba, President, Toshiba International Corporation, a Houston-based Toshiba Group company that manufactures and markets motors and industrial equipment, and the base for this expansion program.

"We welcome Toshiba's decision to locate this new production in the United States," said Sherif Marakby, Director, Electrification Programs and Engineering, Ford Motor Company. "This key technology will help build U.S. capacity and supply of components to further enable vehicle electrification in the North American market."

Toshiba will begin construction for the expanded capacity in January 2011 in Houston, Texas, on the site of Toshiba International Corporation. Production of the automotive motors would begin in 2012.

As the automotive industry moves toward a new generation of environmentally friendly vehicles including hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles, Toshiba is promoting advances in essential automotive technologies, from dedicated on-board control systems to batteries and Intelligent Traffic Systems. The company's development of key components for HEVs, PHEVs and EVs, including inverters and drive motors, is an essential part of Toshiba's strategy in growing this promising business.

Electrified vehicles are attracting increased attention and growing levels of investment from the automotive industry. Toshiba estimates that the global market for motors for such vehicles, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles, will grow from 50 billion yen in fiscal year 2009 to 1 trillion yen in fiscal year 2020.

The Houston location will allow Toshiba to increase its marketing of automotive systems and components in the United States, establish closer contact and collaboration with automobile manufacturers, and allow auto companies to increase local procurement of key components.

GM Plans To MAke Electric Motors To Join Their Battery Manufacturing

The Sleek 2010 Chevy Volt








GM already assembles the Lithium Ion battery packs for their upcoming Volt and now they are announcing the manufacturing of the electric motors. The last piece of the puzzle will be the electronics that control the works. Once they make these components, they will control the everything needed to produce electric vehicles.

From USA Today:

General Motors plans to announce in Washington later this month that it will build or operate a U.S. factory to make electric motors to power electrified autos.

GM last week built the first lithium-ion battery pack for its Chevrolet Volt electric sedan at a newly opened GM factory in Brownstown Township, Mich. Volt is to go into production in December. After batteries, electric motors are "the second leg of the stool," Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman in charge of global product operations, said in an interview with USA TODAY at the Detroit auto show Tuesday.

The "third leg" supporting electric-car production will be the electronics that control the way the batteries interact with the motors, Stephens said. He did not say if GM also will build those electronic systems, but implied that it would: "Electric motors, batteries, power-control electronics -- you need core expertise in those."

He also noted that a company needs such expertise to carefully shop for a supplier for those components.

Stephens said the motor factory will be in the USA. But he declined to say more about the factory until the announcement in Washington later this month.