Really Cool Invention Brings Teens Awards (Amazing Kids-Invented What GM Couldn't)

The Salt Lake Tribune ^ | 07/06/2005 | Jessica Ravitz

[TalonDJ]

Yeah, that is exactly what happens. The energy coming out of the wires is CONVERTED from mechanical energy. If it appeared out of thin air then all we would need is a gerbil and some really smooth ball bearings and we could power the whole world.

[JustRight]

Wrong. The rotor of an alternator does become harder to turn as the load increases. If it didn't, the alternator would put out its rated output at all times. It takes more fuel to maintain engine RPMs if the alternator is loaded.

[Jonx6]

Well my understanding is that it is done in stages. The PMG portion creates enuff amps to create stronger fields that create more amps. It this point, the strength of the next set of coils regulated by the demand place on the alternator. The more demand the stronger the field and the more torque required to turn it. I think the regulator determines the final field strengths.

[Arkie2]

I'm guessing the use of this system would require a re design of the coolant system or an independant cooling system dedicated to it to handle the additional heat load. I didn't mean to imply current auto coolant systems could handle the load.

[the invisib1e hand]

too bad so much creative energy is wasted shooting down bogey men like "freon".

[TalonDJ]

Without running the numbers I would expect that you would burn more gas powering these than running a standard AC.

As an engineer I find it insulting that the poster seems to think GM has not thought of this and run the numbers. These sound like some clever kids but their quote about gas usage makes it very clear they have no idea how to calculate efficiency.

[myself6]

Good explanation. I need to look up the electrical diagram of an alternator I guess. I admit that I was wrong. I jumped in without making sure of the equipment I was talking about.

[hosepipe]

[ Incidentally, if you hook up the battery backwards, it simply reverses the cold and hot sides, with equal efficiency. And if you actively heat one face and cool the other face, it's an (inefficient!) electrical generator - in this case, the heat is being forced to flow, and the charge carriers are what get swept along for the ride. ]

Thanks... Excellent... First thing that crossed my mind..

[JAKraig]

Ok, I will give it a try.

Creating electrical current is similar in many ways to pumping water.

The generator is analogous to a water pump. The electrical load is analogous to a nozzle on the end of a hose.

When a water pump turns without the hose nozzle open there is no flow (current). When the nozzle opens a little a little work is being done by the pump. Kind of like a light dimmer, when the lights are low very little electricity flows through the lights. If you open the nozzle all the way the pump has to do a lot of work.

If you have ever listened to a high pressure spray washer as the wand valve is opened and closed you would understand in a second. When the wand is closed the motor does not sound loaded, as soon as the water valve is opened you hear the engine bog down until the governor opens the throttle and helps the engine catch up with the required load.

Exactly the same thing happens with electricity. When the light dimmer is only on a little bit there is very little electricity flowing and the generator does very little work, turn the dimmer on all the way and a lot more electricity flows therefore more work.

I hope this helps.

[norwaypinesavage]

" As an engineer I find it insulting that the poster seems to think GM has not thought of this and run the numbers."

See Post 73, I'm sure that this was not the first time this was reviewed.

[absolootezer0]

didn't replace a/c, i simply removed it. replaced alternator for a more powerful one. a/c isn't a needed piece, just strap on a shorter belt to compensate.

[myself6]

Yeah...

I see how it works now. I spoke before I familiarized myself with the equipment. Never a good thing to do.

[myself6]

While I admitted I was in error to the others.

You sir, can go pi$$ up a rope.

;)

[Arkie2]

I suspect the real interest in this system is its promise of being able to do away with the freon compnent of cooling. It's an environmental issue and you can expect environmentalists to make erroneous claims all day long if it serves their purpose

[Junior]

Woo Hoo!

[Lee'sGhost]

"While your speed may stay the same and your RPM may stay the same there will be an increase in the throttle opening. This throttle change will happen automatically by the cruise control."

Thank you!

[TalonDJ]

True, this system would be less complicated in some ways. Although, cars switched to a more 'friendly' coolant than freon years ago.

[Lee'sGhost]

I must have missed something. So you now have no AC in your car?

[TalonDJ]

LOL!

Just pointing out the number 1 sanity check. If you stop and think about the implications of your solution then you can often spot major errors. I had a college prof one time that did not do that. We pointed out that her answer to the test problem would be a perpetual motion machine and OUR answer had balanced forces. That prof was gone not back the next year.

[TalonDJ]

Yeah he has no AC. In an older car, once the compressor seals fail the cost of fixing the system is often more than the car is worth.