Tata – MDI air car:
In February 2007 Tata Motors signed an agreement with MDI of France for application in India of MDI’s path-breaking technology for engines powered by air. MDI or Moteur Developpment International of France has successfully developed engines running on CAT (Compressed Air Technology) and has been testing them in a number of cars. MDI founded in the 1990s has been mastering the technology which might one day become world’s ultimate environment-friendly engine. Economictimes reported that Tata is planning to roll out a car running on compressed air next year in India. It also repoted that Tata Motors is currently experimenting with the technology on its different models and mass production of the ‘Air Car’ could commence next year.But what i believe is Tata may or may not come with a air car but surely this MDI’s car have much impact on Tata’s proposed one lakh car. Tata might have learnt how to build a light weight car with a less powerful engine, how to design transmission systems for such car etc. from MDI.
What are the benefits of CAT engine:
The car is absolutely pollution free not only because of no combustion but also since the oil that lubricates the engine will need to be changed only once every 31,000 miles. MDI’s engine deliver the lowest running cost and that could be much lower than CNG, the cheapest on-road fuel (with a running cost of a rupee per kilometre) right now. The cost of a fuel refill would be about Rs 90, and each refill is expected to deliver a distance in the range of 150-200 km. MDI’s engines are gasoline, fuel gas, bio-diesel, liquid gas, ecological fuel, alcohol and ethanol blend compatible. The result is with the incorporation of bi-energy (compressed air + fuel) the CAT Vehicles have increased their driving range to close to 2000 km with zero pollution in cities and considerably reduced pollution outside urban areas. 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. While the car is running on fossil fuel, the compressor refills the compressed air tanks for future use. The temperature of the clean air expulsed from the exhaust pipe is between 0 and 15 degrees below zero and can be subsequently channelled and used for air conditioning in the interior of the car. The mono alternator in the air car helps in braking but also for recharging the car.
Recharging:
Compressed air can be filled into the car or other vehicle’s tanks from what is called a roadside Air Station or the car can be plugged into a household electric socket for running the on-board air compressor motor that compresses ambient air and stores it. To fill the tanks at filling stations it will take about to 2 to 3 minutes,through the household electric socket (220V or 380V) the tank can be filled completely in 3 or 4 minutes.
Tata’s air car:
Tata’s zero pollution cars are expected to be in the same price band as the current Indica range (approximately around Rs 3.50 lakh). These pollution free vehicles are expected to deliver a maximum speed of up to 220 km/hour and their debut may coincide with the launch of the Rs 1-lakh car, next year. MDI has created prototypes of four vehicles powered by this air engine. These include a car, a taxi that can ferry five passengers, a pick-up truck and a van. Many of them have features that may be a good fit with Tata Motors’ plans for future vehicles. Here is some interesting features MDI has developed and is working on
* MDI;s air car do not have normal speed gauges. Instead, they have a small computer screenthat shows the speed and engine revolutions. The system allows for infinite possibilities such as GSM telephone systems, GPS satellite tracking systems, programs for delivery people, emergency systems, internet connections, voice recognitions, map presentation and traffic information.
* Regarding safety, MDI’s seatbelt system is different from what we know. One part of the belt is anchored to the floor of the car, like traditional cars. The other part of the belt, in stead of being attached to the side of the car, is also anchored to the floor of the vehicle. This helps to secure the bodies of the driver and passengers in the case of a collision.
* MDI air car’s electric system is also revolutionary. MDI has bought a patent that is bound to reduce the important of electrical systems in all cars. The trick consists in using a small radio signal. The system makes the car 20 kilos lighter and considerably quieter.
* MDI is also considering a system to replace traditional keys. This system would utilize an access card. With this card it would be possible to open the car from a short distance away without having to actually insert anything in the car.
* MDI’s CityCats are rear powered and the engine is under the floor at the rear of the car as this design conserves more energy when compared to a front-wheel drive vehicle. We have already reported that Tata’s one lakh car will be a rear engined one.
* MDI plans to replace classic tyres with “green” tyres which can increase mileage by 4 – 5% further.
How the air engine works:
The engine works on what is known as CATS or compressed air technology system, whereby typically a two-stroke engine is fed compressed air, which has been stored in fibre-glass tanks at high bar pressure (approximately 150 to 200 times the pressure in car tyres). The compressed air expands in the engine’s chamber and drives the pistons and a single crankshaft to create movement that is then transferred to the wheels. Relevant changes to the pistons, connecting rod and other engine components are made to enable the engine to run on just compressed air.
Regarding the gearbox, Gear changes are automatic, powered by an electronic system developed by MDI. A computer which controls the speed of the car is effectively continuously changing gears. Through this the gearbox achieves the objective of seamless changes and mimimal energy consumption. Air car’s special pneumatic system recovers about 13% of the power used.
How the chassis and Body assist the engine:
Tata’s one lakh car may take most clues from MDI in this section. MDI has put together highly-resistant, yet light, chasses, aluminium rods glued together. Using rods enables us to build a more shock-resistant chassis than regular chasses. Additionally, the rods are glued in the same way as aircraft, allowing quick assembly and a more secure join than with welding. This system helps to reduce manufacture time. This kind of chassis for the one lakh car may facilitate Tata to manufacture the 1 lakh car in satellite plants.
Unlike the majority of traditional cars on the market, MDI’s air car body is made up of tubular, light weight fibre is held together using aerospace technology. This technology has two main advantages: cost and weight. As a result of this extensive use of fibre MDI taxi model weighs just 700 kg. Indian customers who ones loved Ambassador for its soldiness may suspect this ulta low weight car’s safety but MDI says the fibre is safer (it doesn’t cut like steel), is easier to repair (it is glued), doesn’t rust etc. MDI is currently looking into using hemp fibre to replace fibre-glass, and natural varnishes, to produce 100% non-contaminating bodywork.
Safety of the air car:
The tanks enjoy the same technology developed to contain natural gas.In the case of a major accident, where the tanks are ruptured, they would not explode since they are not metal. Instead they would crack, as they are made of carbon fibre. An elongated crack would appear in the tank, without exploding, and the air would simply escape, producing a loud but harmless noise.Airbus Industries oversees the making of the storage tanks at each MDI factory.
For more visit www.theaircar.com