Air motors?

corrirod · 06-19-2008, 12:52 PM

I got an email about an Air Car and upon further inspection there appears to be quite a few people investing in this technology. It's been around for quite awhile but is finally being refined enough to serve a purpose. Not here in the US of course. Too many regulations to keep us safe.

Anyway, there is tons of stuff on the net about these motors and cars but the site below was interesting because it talked about a smaller version going into boats, designed in Australia.

Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm8RC...eature=related

CATCH AND EAT · 06-19-2008, 01:34 PM

Yep, known about this company for about a year now. Cool technology and just way to simple to apply. MDI air cars have real potential and the application for boating is pretty interesting.

Like hydrogen, battery or other power cars they need the infrastructure to support them.

MDI has several hurdles to jump in safety before American markets will allow them access. When they get here I want one.

Chromaflage · 06-19-2008, 01:36 PM

Would a pair of carbon fiber air tanks laid between stringers be considered positive flotation?

Chrome Bumper · 06-19-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chromaflage

Would a pair of carbon fiber air tanks laid between stringers be considered positive flotation?

If they meet the CG requirements for pressure testing and water ingress the answer is yes. Don't forget to consider the weight of compressed air in the flotation calculations.

Quote:

U.S. Coast Guard - Flotation Material & Installation Requirements

a) Air Chambers

Air chambers shall maintain their integrity under pre-test conditioning and under flotation test conditions. They shall not leak when subjected to an internal air pressure test and shall not allow the ingress of water when submerged to at least a depth equal to that required in the flotation test.

Energy density, i.e. BTU's per gallon (or joules per liter, or watthours per cubic foot) is a real issue with most of the alternates to gas and diesel.

Wind powered boats, I wonder if any one has tried that.

A lot of energy is lost when air is compressed and re-expanded, especially with inexpensive equipment. Maybe a wind farm that compresses air instead of making electricity.....

A HUGE hurdle for get cars on the American road is getting them through the crash safety requirements.

CATCH AND EAT · 06-19-2008, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrome Bumper

A HUGE hurdle for get cars on the American road is getting them through the crash safety requirements.

Exactly. Current engineering will not fly here but I think they will solve this issue in the next few years.

Chrome Bumper · 06-19-2008, 02:49 PM

Crash safety is just an issue of running the tests and doing the designs, $$$$ and time. Boats are required to be crash worthy.

Orca · 06-20-2008, 09:37 AM

That will be entertaining when you get rear-ended, the end of the air chambers open up, and you launch to the moon.

Chrome Bumper · 06-20-2008, 10:35 AM

I'd be more worried about the end of the tank breaking off and coming back with 8,000 psi of air pressure behind it. At least it won't leave a cloud of explosive gas.

The cooling effect of expanding air might come in handy for chilling TUNA!

Irish Pennant · 06-20-2008, 10:49 AM

I can see it now, cars running on scented compressed air. Mandated spring scent in the winter and mandated mountain scent or sea breeze in the summer. The future is looking/smelling wonderful.

CATCH AND EAT · 06-20-2008, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrome Bumper

I'd be more worried about the end of the tank breaking off and coming back with 8,000 psi of air pressure behind it. At least it won't leave a cloud of explosive gas.

That would be the passing gear.

fishkisser · 06-20-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrome Bumper

Wind powered boats, I wonder if any one has tried that.

Don't they call those Sail Boats ...

Chrome Bumper · 06-20-2008, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CATCH AND EAT

That would be the passing gear.

Good one,
Of course if you have a cat hull:

and a lot of exhaust air, like from an air motor, Just put a curtain fore and aft over the tunnel and exhaust the used air into the enclosed area:

the buoyancy created will lift the boat above the water and virtually eliminate any friction resisting forward motion.

Chrome Bumper · 06-20-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishkisser

Don't they call those Sail Boats ...

Sailboats?!

What's that? Never heard of them, must be some secret high tech nano technology wonder boat discovered years ago and hushed up by big oil

I hear the Irish are building a secret ship suitable for sports, war and commerce that is hybrid and can run on wind or a wide variety of biofuels, it even runs on ethanol when required:

BIGALSURF · 06-20-2008, 03:00 PM

What's really great about this "green" boat is that it's also great for working out! When the wind doesn't blow, the crew gets on their "rowing machine" and rows.

Actually, I've been emailing the air car people, letting them know about the star rotor compressor system. They're going to make these for small car/taxi's at first to replace the three wheel two stroke "jitneys" in the 3rd world. Compress on electricity at night at your garage, run all day hauling people. No pollution except the "massive coal you burn!" to make the electricity. Basically, this is an electric car with a weightless battery and really simple 3rd worldable technology. I have to believe battery powered electric cars will end up being more efficient, the biggest problem is the battery weight vs. a light air tank.

Who knows, this might work? Big profitable investment? I"m skeptical.

Baxter · 06-20-2008, 05:13 PM

I am also skeptical. Very.

Compressed air is an extremely inefficient and problematic method for transferring energy. Doesn't make any sense at all. I think this air car thing is a scam.

As a real life example of the transfer of engergy: Have you ever used pneumatic shop tools, like an impact driver? Think about the size of the compressor motor, storage tank, and running time required to crank up the air pressure and volume needed to make an impact driver more or less capable of removing a lugnut. Then plug in your electric impact driver, pull the trigger, and drive a half inch lag screw through seven inches of solid wood in 10 seconds. If you've ever experienced that difference, you have carnal knowledge of the problem with the "air car".