Hybrid engines work by combining an energy storage unit and a fueled power source, normally a battery and an internal combustion engine. The battery is meant to recapture and store any source of energy produced and wasted throughout various driving stages; for instance the energy wasted during braking. Interestingly, Honda has found a new alternative source of energy in respect of this.
The Japanese automaker is currently involved in a research using a Rankine cycle co-generation unit, in which the system works by capturing the exhaust heat from the engine and converting it to electricity. The physics behind this concept is very simple. High-pressured water is pumped into the evaporator and converted into steam by using the heat from the engine. This steam is then channelled into a volumetric expander to rotate a generator and produce electric current, which is stored in the battery pack.
Honda managed to successfully defeat the uncertainties on this system, by fitting the said unit into a standard Honda Stream and testing it. The test unit generated three times more electricity than other common systems found in hybrid cars these days.
Honda Tests Advanced Hybrid System
Engine Heat as Energy Source
Green Car Congress / Honda's Advanced Hybrid System
Comments
carcrazy1234
February 18, 2008 10:47 PM
this is really cool wonder how their going to make this work in winter though
Bremen_Koenigsegg
February 18, 2008 11:20 PM
This is an excellent idea, seeing as how so much fuel energy is lost to heat, and recovering the heat loss is a big leap towards significantly increasing fuel economy. I am still adamant hybrids are worse for the environment than normal cars, however, and this car is no exception. I say we reintroduce steam power -- the time is right for -real- green technology.
ck314
February 19, 2008 2:55 AM
When I test drove the Lexus LS450h last year, and in my brother's LS600h to a lesser extent, I noticed this characteristic smell from electric power found in railways stations. It is no secret that electric/electromagnetic pollution harms people in the long run (just do a google search), but once more these facts are brushed aside in the name of corporate profit.
hofmeyer
February 19, 2008 1:47 AM
thats one of the great things about honda. the way they decide there's a better way to do something, and they go and find it. if honda says it works and they sell it, it will work.
Hiromichi
February 19, 2008 2:10 AM
This system would be a perfect match with F-1 from 2009 season. There is a rumour that Honda is striving for developing capacyter-using hybrid system for F-1(Toyota has won with hybrid at GT endurance race in Japan already), but this heat-utilizing system seems to be better fitting for racing cars from space and weight point of view.
bobmcgod
February 19, 2008 1:25 PM
ck314 go learn some physics. Electromagnetic radiation (microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, xrays gamma rays and such) and electromagnetic fields are 2 different things. If electromagnetic fields were dangerous we'd all be dead as the earth has a massive one.
ck314
February 19, 2008 10:57 PM
Not from you, that's for sure, seeing how you seem to be brainwashed, or at least biased on the subject. It's not that the earth's electromagnetic fields are deadly, but massive exposure to artificial EM fields from electric/electronic appliances leads to health/genetic troubles depending on your own sensitivity. As if they weren't related anyway.
benz_man
February 20, 2008 7:40 PM
CK314 is correct. Kinda makes you wonder about Americas power-grid design (placing high-voltage/high amperage lines beside your home) doesnt it...
muellr
February 19, 2008 6:46 PM
More than 2 years ago BMW showed the turbosteamer concept that uses heat to enhance efficiency by 15 %. as far as I understand they drive the crankshaft directly from the steam turbine rather than converting to electric energy..
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/12/09/166247.html
benz_man
February 20, 2008 7:43 PM
Honda can see huge efficiency improvements, considering the average internal combustion engine is only 30% thermally efficient!
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