Cummins/Tula dDSF (diesel Dynamic Skip Fire)
I have been watching this study for a while along with the Cummins ETREE project that replaced an ISB 6.7L with an ISB 4.5L hooked up to a 130kW generator pushing a 175kW motor that netted over 60% be...
Forum Discussion
Both real exciting technologies in the diesel front. The Skip Fire is almost like PWM for electric motors, and may be the big step we're waiting for in in-cylinder emissions control vs relying solely on after-treatment. Hopefully 1 day we can look back at the past 15 years as a "interim" emissions phase, much like gas engines of the 70s and 80s.
I've been saying for years we should look at series hybrids used on trains (GE's AC-AC drives can hit 90+% efficiency). It's much easier to optimize your prime mover for a few set-points, than a 3-D map of rpm vs throttle position.
With a battery, we can't use pure AC-AC of course. But a battery is also necessary because unlike a locomotive, we need more than 8 throttle settings, and also need instant response. The extra reserve capacity of the battery should make up for the rectification / inversion losses of AC-DC-AC.
I've been saying for years we should look at series hybrids used on trains (GE's AC-AC drives can hit 90+% efficiency). It's much easier to optimize your prime mover for a few set-points, than a 3-D map of rpm vs throttle position.
With a battery, we can't use pure AC-AC of course. But a battery is also necessary because unlike a locomotive, we need more than 8 throttle settings, and also need instant response. The extra reserve capacity of the battery should make up for the rectification / inversion losses of AC-DC-AC.
