Check out this new car!!!!! - Democratic Underground

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Tue Sep-19-06 04:35 PM
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Check out this new car!!!!!

:bounce:French auto runs on compressed air technology:bounce:

December 2, 2004 French engineers have designed a low consumption and low pollution engine for urban motoring that runs on compressed air technology. The CATS (Compressed Air Technology System) "air car" from Motor Development International is a significant step for zero-emission transport, delivering a compressed air-driven vehicle that is safe, quiet, has a top speed of 110 km/h and a range of 200 km. Costing next to nothing to run, the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) range - which includes a pick-up truck and van - is set for release in early 2005.

Cyril Nègre is the head of Research and Development at Moteur Developement International (MDI) cars, where the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) prototype has been in production since 1994. The two-stroke engine is powered by compressed air stored in tanks at about 150 times the pressure of tyres on a car. The expansion of the compressed air drives the pistons to create movement, replacing the burning of fossil fuel in a conventional engine. In an air-refilling station (currently unavailable as service stations have not been fitted yet) it is estimated to take between three and four minutes to re-fuel. At home, with a 220V plug, it takes three and a half hours.

Nègre estimates a full tank of air will cost around 1.50 euros to fill and that the extra reward is knowing that you are pumping nothing harmful into the atmosphere. The hidden environmental cost with the CATS is that electricity must still be generated and the means of that production may still employ fossil fuels that discharge pollutants. Still, the savings to the pocket and environment appear well worth investigating. Four models are available for the commercial market - the MiniCAT car at approximately €6 860 euros, or the CitiCATs, including a taxi (with room for up to 5 passengers), a Pick-Up truck and a van, all retailing for approximately €9,460 euros plus taxes.

Air powered engine

This engine uses an innovative system to control the movement of the 2nd generation pistons and one single crankshaft. The pistons work in two stages: one motor stage and one intermediate stage of compression/expansion. The engine has 4 two-stage pistons, i.e. 8 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 is simultaneously:

More at:
http://www.gizmag.com/go/3523/

:bounce::bounce: ...THIS IS THE MANUFACTURER: ... :bounce::bounce:

Moteur Developpment International

Principal The Engine The Car Further applications Licences MDI Press FAQ

MDI CAT´s compressed air technology cars.

MDI introduces compressed air vehicles to the market.

MDI has developed a high performance compressed air technology. When it is compared to traditional gasoline powered engines, MDI´s engine is far superior in terms of energy used and thermodynamics.

An overview of the air car
The technology that MDI vehicles use is not new, in fact it had been around for years. Compressed air technology allows for engines that are both non polluting and economical. After ten years of research and development, MDI is prepared to introduce its clean vehicles onto the market. Unlike electric or hydrogen powered vehicles, MDI vehicles are not expensive and do not have a limited driving range. MDI cars are affordable and have a performance rate that stands up to current standards. To sum it up, they are non-expensive cars that do not pollute and are easy to get around cities in.

Two technologies have been developed to meet different needs:
Single energy compressed air engines
Dual energy compressed air plus fuel engines
The single energy engines will be available in both Minicats and Citycats. These engines have been conceived for city use, where the maximum speed is 50 km/h and where MDI believes polluting will soon be prohibited. It is already possible see examples of this in some places, such as London, where you want to enter the city center with gasoline powered vehicles, you must pay a fee.

The duel energy engine, on the other hand, has been conceived as much for the city as the open road and will be available in all MDI vehicles. The engines will work exclusively with compressed air while it is running under 50 km/h in urban areas. But when the car is used outside urban areas at 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, alcohol, etc.

Both engines will be available with 2, 4 and 6 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.

Urban vehicles: Minicat's

Longer distance vehicles: Citycat's (the new CityCat's design will be introduced soon)

Taxis: a taxi version of the Citycat

Apart from applying its technology to CAT´s vehicles, MDI is also developing compressed air engines for other fields, such as electric cogeneration and energy accumulation. See other applications

MDI has recently been rewarded for its hard work and long investigation into clean engines. Last February, the French government awarded MDI the "La Palma de Oro de la Academia Nacional para el Fomento de la Creatividad Industrial, Artesana y Artística." (08/02/2005 - Asamblea Nacional - París) More information

more at:
http://www.theaircar.com/thecar.html

I just put my name on a list for one when they come out! :bounce: