New Transmission Tech Doubles MPG, Reduces CO2

Good Clean Tech ^ | Thursday June 5, 2008 | staff

[saganite]

We know that fine-tuning engine gear boxes is often a good way to put your auto on a diet. But a Scottish a mechanical tech firm Artemis Intelligent Power claims to have developed a new kind of transmission, capable of doubling fuel economy and reducing CO2 emissions by as much as 30 percent.

The company says that nearly 15 years of scrupulous research have culminated in the High Efficiency Digital Displacement Automotive Transmission (HEDDAT) - a breakthrough hybrid engine modulator said to be more durable, lighter and cheaper than its electric counterparts. According to Cleantech, "the company claims its Digital Displacement technology replaces the port and swash plates in conventional hydraulic machines with computer-controlled high speed solenoid valves."

"We have the advantage on aggressive duty cycles, and that's where the Prius system cannot capture and return the energy at high powers," said Dr. Neil Caldwell, a senior engineer with the company since its inception in 1994. "There's an intrinsic technological advantage when you're driving a vehicle hard. That's where hydraulic hybrids have a huge advantage."

U.K. Energy Saving Trust, the chief underwriter of the project, independently tested Artemis' prototype BMW 530i hydraulic series hybrid with the HEDDAT onboard. The test confirmed the technology's potential, revealing a 30 percent lower CO2 output and superior fuel economy. See the video

[saganite]

The Mercedes diesel is supposed to start selling this year I believe and meets California diesel emission standards. GM says they will have one by 2010. I read a car magazine article recently about a road trip drive off between a Mercedes diesel (this was in Europe) and a hybrid. The diesel won on mileage hands down and had more horsepower and a better ride.

[reg45]

The hard part is finding CNG when you are away from home. In the boonies, refill stations might be hundreds of miles apart.

[John Jamieson]

I believe Atkinson would roll over in his grave if knew that we are using his name on that engine. It is much closer to Miller cycle, but calling it a 100 year old design solves lots of possible patent issues.

[NVDave]

I completely agree - I was calling it an “Atkinson” because Toyota does.

But I completely agree that it is much closer to a Miller Cycle.

And if GM/Ford/Dodge could pull their heads out of their nether regions, they could be using a similar engine and improving their fuel mileage. As it is, only the Japanese have used these American inventions (that I know of) in production cars.

Of course, if Detroit really got their heads out, they’d start doing some small, highly efficient diesels. But that’s like asking a duck to sing an opera.

[NVDave]

I agree they’re all higher in mileage — but not in the new EPA mileage tests. The new EPA mileage tests will take a 50+ MPG vehicle and call it a 40 MPG vehicle.

So I’m trying to use the new EPA ratings. Another instance of government doing things that the private sector should be doing. What we need for autos is a lab like the Nebraska Tractor Laboratory, which is where ag tractor manufactures send their tractors for laboratory testing of things like actual HP at the wheels, at the PTO shaft, actual fuel usage ratings, tractive effort tests, etc. They pay for the test and users pay for the reports, but you have the benefit of a consistent test going back many years, and an independent lab that is not swayed by marketing or politics.