MDI’s OneCAT
Posted on 03/30/2007 7:17:49 PM PDT by Rick_Michael
A car with an air-compressed engine will be able to drive around 124 miles or eight hours for just under $2.
The OneCAT, created by Moteur Development International (MDI) Founder Guy Nègre, can reach a speed of 68 mph and can cover about 124 miles, or eight hours of travel, which is more than double the road coverage of an electric car. When recharging the tank, the car needs to connect to an outlet for three to four hours or attach to an air pump at a gas station for two minutes.
Economy and the ecological benefits are the main advantages for the client since the car´s maintenance cost is 10 times less than that of a gasoline-powered car.
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The vehicle (www.theaircar.com) gets its power from 90 cubic meters of compressed air stored in fiber tanks. The expansion of air pushes the pistons and creates movement. The atmospheric temperature re-heats the engine and increases the road coverage. The air conditioning system makes use of the expelled cold air. Due to the absence of combustion and the fact there is no pollution, the oil change (one liter of vegetable oil) is only necessary every 31,000 miles.
At the moment, MDI has four models, a car, a taxi (five passengers), a pick-up truck, and a van. The final selling price will be $10,800 (£5,500).
MDI, founded in Luxembourg, based in the south of France, with commercial offices in Barcelona, has researched and developed the Air Car over 10 years, and the technology has more than 30 international patents.
MDI already signed with 50 factories in Europe, America, and Asia. The company is offering 20 licenses in the U.K. as exclusive manufacturing areas for cars as well as offering other licenses in the nautical and public transport sectors.
The company just signed a deal with Tata Motors in India to develop a new and cost-saving technology for applications for the Indian market.
The company is initially looking to produce 3,000 cars each year, with 70 staff working one eight-hour shift a day.
MDI developed two technologies to meet different needs. One is the single energy compressed air engines, and the other is dual energy compressed air plus fuel engines
The single energy engines will be available in Minicats and Citycats. These engines are for use in the city use, where the maximum speed is lower and the need for an environmentally safer car is greater.
The duel energy engine, on the other hand, can see use in the city, but also the open road. The engines will work exclusively with compressed air while it is running under 50 km/h in urban areas. When the car hits speeds over 50 km/h, the engines will switch to fuel mode. The engine will be able to use gasoline, gas oil, bio diesel, gas, liquidized gas, ecological fuel, and alcohol.
The engine types will be available with two, four, and six cylinders. When the air tanks are empty, the driver will be able to switch to fuel mode, thanks to the car’s on board computer.
This engine (for more information, click on www.theaircar.com/howitworks.html) has four two-stage pistons, i.e. eight compression and/or expansion chambers. They have two functions: to compress ambient air and refill the storage tanks; and to make successive expansions (reheating air with ambient thermal energy) thereby approaching isothermic expansion.
Its steering wheel is equipped with a 5kW electric moto-alternator. This motor acts as the:
No clutch is necessary. The engine is idle when the car is stationary, and the vehicle starts via the magnetic plate which re-engages the compressed air. The electric motor allows for the parking capabilities.
For related information, go to www.isa.org/manufacturing_automation.
Watch video below
So IF viable it would a lot more finacially reasonable than electric. One must remember the markets in India and China will be looking for alternative much more than us...due to the differences in financial stature ie we can afford a petro life, while it's a roadblock for their economy.
The below video is fairly interesting.
Video Air Car
The videos about MDI's design, plus an air engine with what seems to have a higher efficiency.
The interesting claim about the fuel efficiency (for MDI's design) is that they think a hybrid car w/ one tank of gas....could get from Los Angeles to New York. Quite a claim, but if true...well, that could be quite an alternative. I figure they'll have to play-up to India first, as we seem to adore our big cars.
If it could operate with compressed flatulence, the this could be a Fromula 1 car in the hands of Algore.
That's FORMULA 1 car. And Al wouldn't hold in his hands. He would grasp it with his cheeks.
Big deal. My car uses air in its engine. I even filter it.
"If it could operate with compressed flatulence, the this could be a Fromula 1 car in the hands of Algore."
Al's stupid, but I do want alternatives to be economical. Not Al's methods, because they're unwise....but we can't continue to depend on certain people.
And...
I'm not paranoid that the earth will melt, I'm more concerned about financing our enemies.
it would be the whoopie cushion to end all whoopie cushions.
That's an initial design. Tata (India's manufacture) will likely have a bigger car. Don't prejudge.
I think if the cost of production for algae fuel goes down...a combination of viable technologies would produce a more appealing cars.
The difference is how much petro it consumes.
As great as this appears to be, the energy to compress the air will come from where, exactly? If it comes from the electric utility, it mostly will come from burning additional coal.
Air powered = coal powered.
I'd prefer a fuel cell vehicle; just a personal preference.
Besides, my previous comment was just some sarcasm and not a condemnation.
The energy, no matter what its final form (air pressure) has to come from somewhere. And in the end, that source of origin is fossil fuel (except for solar cells.) This is just replacing a battery with an air tank.
"As great as this appears to be, the energy to compress the air will come from where, exactly? If it comes from the electric utility, it mostly will come from burning additional coal."
Depending on location...but of coarse.
Electrical vehicles are more efficient than petro vehicles...though electrical car cost far too much money (due to the battery). The cost of this vehicle eliminates that cost. Combined with a hybrid engine...well, it just reduces fuel consumption.
Atleast that's the given assumption....based on what's said.
I'm not paranoid about global warming.
bookmark
I don't know. For $2 a tank, I would consider it. Watch the video - 2000 miles with a small amount of gas for a compressor, on a single tank.
Sure would help our depends on the Middle East.
I still think air powered along with other alternative fuels will make up the mosaic of fuels that will be offered at refueling stations across America.
Or, people may fall in love with refueling air tanks or electric vehicles at home and in the future choose that of car.
It doesn't have to be all or nothing at all.
Hydrogen? Kind-of expensive at the moment, isn't it?
Oh, I knew you were just playing.
The video said $2 worth of electricity. That would be great if we could use our own coal instead of Arab oil.
"Air powered = coal powered."
It doesn't take FReepers very long to get to the root of any Magic Energy Supply Solution ("MESS") scam such as this.
I had to scan the posts to see who would get to the root of the problem first.
("MESS" is a Trademark of the HighWheeler Corporation)
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