I didn't know where else to put this topic so I put it in the first board. Anyway, I work in the aviation business and I there is something a lot of military (and quite a few civilian) planes use. It's called a RAT (Ram Air Turbine). Imagine a ram air turbo-like generator, but instead of using exhaust it uses ram air. And instead of needing an alternator, you would only need a RAT. If you were able to remove the alternator, you would probably be able to get quite a bit more hp at the wheels instead of loosing it turning the belts. What do you guys think? Anybody have the know-how on how to make one for a car? I'd rock one on one of cars. Would you? Here is some ultra-reliable info on RATs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_air_turbine Discuss
ummm no... first I don't think you would get near enough air into it to make any reasonable amount of electricity in the engine bay and I wouldn't want something like that popping out of the exterior of my car...
If you had some type of ram air scoop you could probably pull it off. If ram intakes can provide enough air to run an engine they could possibly run a 14v/40amphr generator. If you used lightweight props and had them positioned in front of the intake filter, you can make your engine work for you. I think that the reduced flow would still be better than losing up to 15% at the crank (obviously you wouldn't completely eliminate the 15% loss with a RAT) You could always have an exhaust driven turbine (EDT), thus eliminating the aesthetic drawbacks and get increased efficiency. But issues of temp and back pressure have to be dealt with with an EDT. http://thekneeslider.com/archives/20...or-turbonator/ http://www.audifans.com/archives/1999/03/msg01490.html (these ones were on tugboats I believe) Similar concepts...
Last I checked the F-105 Thunderchief could fly in excess of the speed of sound so I guess if you can get your Lancer to go that fast than it will work.
+1 I can't see the Lancer surviving fo very long in excess of 100+ MPH...LOL! I do love my car though
Approx 140 couple of times myself, not so bad... crazy when you can see where the wind was hitting your car becuase that spot is now clean, lol.
Last I checked, the F-105 Thunderchief's electrical power consumption was considerably greater than a lancer. So conversely, you wouldn't need to drive as fast.
Except the airflow over a F-105 Thunderchief is far superior to a average (but very nice looking) mild sports sedan. And that is how the system works and depends on airflow for power generation. Without sufficient airflow, you may not even create enough power the move the turbine fan. Spend your money on a proven automotive system, and real turbo charger, or headers, intake, and exhaust. You will have more net gains in that end anyways over a unproven and undoubtedly extremely expensive proposition.
I definitely agree. An automotive RAT is all just a speculative theory. Money would be much better spent on something proven to give gains. But it is nice to theorize and discuss. You could also run an EDT (Exhaust Driven Turbine). Have it somewhere near the cat. It would definitely create some backpressure (which could be good or bad depending on how you look at it).
Of course it is. If it works for a turbo, then why wouldn't it work for a electrical system turbine? I think it would work. One consideration is if you are already running a turbo and then throw an EDT on it. You may be creating too much back pressure.
It could be a 'turbo' of sorts for electric vehicles. If you could have a lightweight and efficient fan it may be plausible. A carbon fiber fan? Why not, they've made wheels with CF and entire automobile and airplane chassis'.
It's definitely possible. Maybe if I were an engineer I would look into it, but for now it is more fun just to hypothesize and "ideate."
Problem is (and I'm no scientist) but they say it violates the law of conservation of energy. Meaning that even if you could get it to work, it would be more detrimental to the engine than just using a traditional turbo or forced induction setup. But then, that was just on the first page, and on the surface. Not sure if they considered this in a electric car with lightweight turbine materials like magnesium and carbon fiber or kevlar.
I'd love to get a couple prototypes and run them in a wind tunnel and at the same time have them on a dyno. I saw that it said it violates the law of conservation, but I think that it is also very subjective (like you said having lightweight materials).
