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To: UpAllNight

That would require a very large fly-wheel. Where does the energy come from to spin it? Going down hill?

Do these cars have one?

Sorry for what might be a dumb question but I am no more versed on this technology than I am on voodoo.


238 posted on 01/01/2007 7:43:25 PM PST by Eaker (You were given the choice between war & dishonor. You chose dishonor & you will have war. -Churchill)
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To: Eaker

--That would require a very large fly-wheel. Where does the energy come from to spin it? Going down hill?
Do these cars have one?
Sorry for what might be a dumb question but I am no more versed on this technology than I am on voodoo.--

The motors act like generators when braking. The energy recovered during braking is used to charge the batteries. This technology is being used in today's hybrids.


240 posted on 01/01/2007 7:47:05 PM PST by UpAllNight
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To: Eaker

I ranted about the house over this earlier, until leda bonked me with a frying pan.

In fact, there are really GOOD electric cars - some of them, amazing in performance, better than any gas fired thing, etc.

For about six minutes, until the battery dies.

And that is the problem - batteries.

The guy who invents a good battery will be richer than Bill Gates.


245 posted on 01/01/2007 7:55:47 PM PST by patton (Sanctimony frequently reaps its own reward.)
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To: Eaker
Hmmm. In an electrically driven car, one gains energy through regenerative braking while slowing down to a rest.
...
That would require a very large fly-wheel. Where does the energy come from to spin it? Going down hill?

Do these cars have one?

Sorry for what might be a dumb question but I am no more versed on this technology than I am on voodoo.

The electronic braking does not require a flywheel. Just as a engine must supply torque to turn a generator, torque slows down the car while recovering energy normally given up as heat in traditional brakes.

Regenerative Braking Charges Ahead, Motor Age Online

Similar technology is used in some industrial motor starters to provide stopping power of large motor driven applications. Rarely however are these motors stopped often enough to justify capturing the energy generated. Usually the current is routed through resistors and waste heat is generated. Typically applications would be a large fan that would be slow to stop without brakes.

307 posted on 01/02/2007 3:55:25 PM PST by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
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To: Eaker

--That would require a very large fly-wheel. Where does the energy come from to spin it? Going down hill?--

If one were to employ a flywheel, the energy to spin it would come from the regenerative braking.


310 posted on 01/03/2007 8:46:05 AM PST by UpAllNight
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To: Eaker

--That would require a very large fly-wheel. Where does the energy come from to spin it? Going down hill?--


http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/02/ldquoextremerdq.html


311 posted on 01/03/2007 8:48:03 AM PST by UpAllNight
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