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UPS Reveals Hydraulic Hybrid, Still Colored Fecal Brown
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SeanKHotay
10/29/08

In reply to UPS Reveals Hydraulic Hybrid, Still Colored Fecal Brown
Those forward-vehicle fans I see to the left of the reservoirs and accumulators...

Are those for downforce akin to Jim Hall's Chaparral 2J design?

"Brown now corners like a mutha."

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Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
10/29/08

In reply to UPS Reveals Hydraulic Hybrid, Still Colored Fecal Brown
I saw something very similar to this in the Mother Earth News in the mid/late '70s. Proving that it takes about thirty years for crazy hippie stoner pipe dreams to go mainstream.

I was always concerned about frictional losses in the hydraulic piping, and the safety of the high pressure reservoirs.
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WheatKing
10/29/08

In reply to UPS Reveals Hydraulic Hybrid, Still Colored Fecal Brown
[www.epa.gov]

PDF about the technology as used in a Ford SUV.

The big benefit of hydraulic over electric is power density and delivery. Hydraulic is able to absorb and deliver very high amounts of power without the problems that batteries suffer from. Ultracapacitors are one way to help the battery overcome these huge power demands, but aren't cheap.

EPA estimated that a hydraulic hybrid system would add approx $100 to the vehicle cost over a standard engine/tranny combo (2004 $) with a return in payback at about 1.1 years.. vs the normal hybrid which the payback is about 10.
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newfmike
10/29/08

@WheatKing:

Interesting. It's odd then that the system isn't it used in passenger cars. What are we missing? Seems like a relatively easy retrofit with so much available hydraulic experience.
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WheatKing
10/29/08

@newfmike: Bush got into office, changed the EPA mandate to study hydrogen economy, funding and projects followed, and this got dropped by the wayside.
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newfmike
10/29/08

In reply to UPS Reveals Hydraulic Hybrid, Still Colored Fecal Brown
Awesome! Get rid of the mechanical transmission and associated losses. Maybe that's just my bad experience with my SHO's made-of-glass slushbox speaking.

What are the advantages of an electric hybrid system over this in a passenger car?
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dmdukejr
10/29/08

@newfmike: I've gotta think weight is the issue. I don't know how much hydraulic fluid we're talking about, but it can't be light. Add in all that plumbing and mechanicals, and it would make the average passenger car too heavy. In a commercial truck loaded down with packages, it isn't an issue.
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makopolo
10/29/08

@dmdukejr:

I think its gas, not regular hydraulic fluid since it is not compresible and can not store energy.
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newfmike
10/29/08

@makopolo: Correct, fluid itself won't store energy in this method. A fluid is used to drive the motor, but forced into the accumulator containing gas which is compressed, storing energy.

@dmdukejr: Is the system any heavier than electric motors + battery packs? Although, battery packs can probably store much more energy per unit mass than an accumulator.
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WheatKing
10/29/08

@newfmike: The accumliator is around 3kW/kg and able to deliver about 8kW/sec with an energy density of >50kW-sec/gallon. that's at 5000psi..

a 22gallon accumliator at max capacity weighs 240lbs (110kg) and would have the energy density of 1110kW-sec, or 305Wh of stored energy. (assuming my math is correct)

Although batteries can store more energy, they can't release or capture it as quick as a hydraulic, or with anywhere near the same efficiency
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layabout
10/29/08

In reply to UPS Reveals Hydraulic Hybrid, Still Colored Fecal Brown
Previously i've made it clear that everything hybrid is evil & wrong,but i agree it's a good thing for large companies to go in that direction,it make sense & hopefully more delivery & haulage companies do the same & in the long run that could mean cheaper fuel for those of us that are addicted.
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sos10
10/29/08

@layabout: I would like to make clear that everything hybrid is what will save any car maker in the near future.
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layabout
10/29/08

@sos10 votes NO on prop8: Probably true,as long as they still make petrol only cars aswell i'll be happy. If only you could predict this weekends Lotto numbers ;)
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sos10
10/29/08

@layabout: I do! I always predict the numbers that don't win though.
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Das ASHloch (achtundsiebzig)
10/29/08

In reply to UPS Reveals Hydraulic Hybrid, Still Colored Fecal Brown
Minneapolis? They're brave to test it in that kind of weather. Or maybe that's the whole point.
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FЯeeMan
10/29/08

@Ash78: Yeah, that'll be interesting considering how diesels don't like to start in the cold, and these will be starting all the time. Maybe they'll stay warm enough that it won't matter...
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layabout
10/29/08

@FЯeeMan is slowly cЯawling out of the new commenting system: Older diesels had cold start problems,modern diesels don't suffer from that problem.
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Das ASHloch (achtundsiebzig)
10/29/08

@layabout: I think the large, high-output, low-manufacturing-tolerance, common-rail truck diesels still have some issues. I assume that's what they'll be using here.

Sure, a modern VW or Renault low-output diesel will start under basically all conditions.

Probably moot...I'm sure they'll have block heaters, and when in use, the block will stay warm enough.
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Starlton Heston's Revenge
10/29/08

@Ash78: or the hydro fluid will be akin to tranny oil... not very temp sensitive, right?

/off the top scientific insight
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