Is Ford's Hybrid Really Better Than The Competition?

Is Ford's Hybrid Really Better Than The Competition?

Author: Levi Quinn

While foreign automakers have dominated the hybrid market in the past, Ford is making its move to rise to the top in this new high-demand arena. With its hydraulic F-150 on the way and the newly re-engineered Escape, this company could very well be on the right track to bring American ingenuity to the forefront of this automotive field.

Although not on the market as of yet, the hydraulic F-150 is anticipated to be some 300 percent more efficient than the darling of hybrid drivers – the Toyota Prius. The hydraulic full-sized truck is expected to garner about 60 miles per gallon in the city. This is a whopping 400 percent increase over fuel efficiency from the standard F-150 presently on the market.

The F-150 would be a slightly different type of hybrid than others on the market. Standard hybrids use gasoline to charge batteries that can move vehicles at low speeds. Hydraulics operate in the same manner, but do not rely on batteries. Instead, they house excess energy within hydraulic cylinders. These are said to be three times more efficient than the nickel metal hydride batteries presently in use.

The hydraulic is not the only hybrid Ford has up its sleeve. Already on the market is the redesigned Escape that boasts features that have the automotive world abuzz. This hybrid does operate using batteries, but it shows that full-sized and environmentally friendly can go hand in hand. Garnering up to 36 miles per gallon, this SUV isn’t quite as efficient as smaller hybrids, but it does pack in a lot of bang for the buck. Some of the features that make the Escape stand out include:

• Seating – The Escape hybrid is designed to comfortably seat five and still have the back cargo area that is a favorite of larger families.
• Drive options – The new Escape features both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive options. Four-wheel drive buyers do lose a bit on the fuel efficiency, but not much.
• Large center console – The Escape was designed with functionality in mind. To this end, the center console is big enough to hold an entire laptop computer. It is also fully removable when extra storage capacity is required.
• Handling – The hybrid Escape was created to look and handle just like any other SUV. Although it is on the small size compared to some SUVs, it can handle hauling and difficult terrain quite well.
• Electrical uses – The electric-power functioning of the Escape motor kicks in at different times during operation. The Escape not only relies on the electric power for low-speed driving, it also lends a boost during high-speed acceleration.
• Transmission – The new Escape does not have a typical transmission. Instead it relies on a continuously variable transmission that is electronically controlled. This computer-backed function lends itself to a 30-percent increase in fuel efficiency over normal transmissions.

Ford is changing the way hybrids look and feel. By breaking out of the box, this American company is showing the environmentally conscious drivers can still enjoy enough roominess to get jobs done without wasting gas in the process.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/is-fords-hybrid-really-better-than-the-competition-1112392.html

About the Author:

Have a fun and safe time on the road, and visit us to find the best deal on the insurance coverage you need. Get money-saving tips, affordable auto insurance quotes and helpful advice about finding the cheapest auto insurance rates from Auto Insurance Rates Direct today.

Electric Propulsion Systems

Hybrid cars are planning to use electric propulsion systems which prove to be very efficient and also environmentally friendly. There may be various methods and approaches to complete the movement that uses electrical energy, but the main idea is still  the same. 

These systems are already working and will further help develop alternatives to the internal combustion engine.

What is Electric Propulsion?

Electric propulsion is the acceleration of gases in order to produce propulsive thrust through electric and magnetic body forces, electric body forces or electric heating. Electric propulsion system theory is normally considered to be part of rocket science where the propulsion system manages to generate enough energy to produce a strong thrust. An electric propulsion system is an alternative to a nuclear propulsion system. The total thrust is less powerful compared to a nuclear rocket but still enough to produce effects.

According to several studies, any engine used as a primary source of such powerful propulsion must produce exhaust velocities of around 10 to 20 km/s. There are also storable chemical systems used in rockets with an exhaust velocity of around 5 km/s but overall is less efficient.

Propulsion systems that do not require energy through chemical reactions are still needed. There are electricity propulsion thrusters able to produce exhaust velocities around 10 to 20 km / s which increase payload and reduce the propellant mass. The consequences, however, are less powerful thrusters consuming larger quantities of power.

The 3 Categories of Electric Propulsion

Electro thermal propulsion

Electro thermal propulsion occurs when the propellant is electrically heated then isentropically expanded, producing a gas that is sent through a Convergent/Divergent (C/D) nozzle to create thrust. Catalyzed hydrazine or another neutral gas is used in thrusters like arc jets and resisto-jets.  An arc jet can be used to heat the propellants through an electric arc discharge. The arc in the arc-jet electron beam is generated from the cathode and the anode in the tip.  A constrictor is also present providing a narrow pathway between the two charges.

Electrostatic thrusters

Electrostatic thrusters also called ion thrusters. These use an ionized propellant accelerated through electric fields applied directly like gridded ion thrusters and Hall thrusters. The technique of propulsion is also known as ion propulsion technique since ions are mainly used in the process. Electrostatic energy is used to produce propulsion.  With electrons from the atoms stripped off and converted to ions. The ions are accelerated by electric forces to a high temperature without needing thermal energy producing thrust. The atoms after losing electrons become positively charged.

Electromagnetic thrusters

Electromagnetic thrusters produce thrust using electric and magnetic forces that interact with charged plasmas like ions and electrons. An example of this is the magnetoplasmadynamic thruster or MPD. The system heats the propellant to a plasma state before being accelerated. A large current is passed by electromagnetic forces through gas in order to ionize the propellant. Plasma is the ionized propellant which is then accelerated by Lorentz force, an electromagnetic force producing thrust.

Effect on Fuel

Decoupling engine speed and power output from the propeller will provide the opportunity to improve efficiency.  Since electric forces and electromagnetic forces kick in for support, gasoline and diesel propulsion systems in vehicles will decrease the chances of wasting a huge part of power and energy.  The chance of engine overload is eliminated resulting in better fuel economy and better gas mileage.

A study conducted to check how much electric propulsion systems can help gasoline and diesel engines indicates that at least 10% fuel savings achieved only with the engine allows to move together with the burden inefficiency because of low load with high speed.  Larger propellers can also save as much as 7% of fuel compared to traditional models.

With the total load split between multiple generators, as much as 20% of fuel can be saved plus another 13% by matching the power produced by the engine to the power required by the propeller. A variable-speed generator will help accomplish this. Overall, 30% to 50% can be saved compared to a highly efficient diesel-electric or gasoline-electric system.