THIS CAR TRAVELS 75 MILES ON A SINGLE GALLON OF GASOLINE!

(Page 4 of 4)

March/April 1978
 
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The two vehicles' speed control systems work differently too. Any time the operator's foot is removed from the accelerator in Vince's car, the automobile is automatically put into a "braking mode". (The car is rapidly slowed down as the turning of the rear wheels runs a pump which pushes hydraulic fluid into the drive line's accumulator.) The accelerator pedal on the HVTC machine, however, is pivoted in the middle. When the driver pushes with his or her toe, the car speeds up. Heel pressure throws the system into braking mode and rapidly slows the vehicle down. And when the operator removes his or her foot from the pedal altogether, the car's drive system switches into a freewheeling neutral, and the machine coasts.

RELATED CONTENT

IS THE HVTC CAR IN YOUR FUTURE?

Even though Ernie Parker's class fabricated its "car of the future" from standard hardware that's available to any family mechanic (or Detroit engineer) today, it's doubtful that GM, Ford, or Chrysler will start cranking out carbon copies of the HVTC automobile any time soon. If you want one of the 75-mpg vehicles for your own use ... well, you'll probably have to put it together yourself.

And maybe MOTHER will be able to help make that possible. Naturally, a great deal of testing remains to be done on the HVTC concept, the design will undoubtedly be refined as time goes on, etc. But this magazine's editors intend to monitor the work of Ernie Parker's group closely, do what we can to help the engineering team hone and develop its ideas ... and keep you informed of the progress that is made. Perhaps, before too long, we'll even be able to offer you plans that you can use in the construction of your own 75-mpg "car of the future".

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Comments

  • Peter 9/24/2009 8:41:11 AM

    Hennepin Vocational Technical Center, Vince's car, the HVTC machine, Hennepin Tech students' energy storage transmission, Vince Carman's Inertial Storage Transmission, The Portland car, HVTC vehicle, HVTC automobile, The little car, HVTC fuel-stretcher, sleek little automobile,

    and for the team that built it

    Parker's students, Hennepin Tech students, Ernie Parker's engineering team, Ernie's class, HVTC students, Ernie Parker's engineering team,

    use one term and stick to it the above is thoroughly confusing. Avoiding repetion is a style guide not an absolute rule. Sometimes you need to repeat a term; if you need to repeat a term then repeat the term.

  • Sean Bornemann 7/6/2009 7:44:52 PM

    I have been working on military aircraft, specifically hydraulics, for about nine years. I too have begun desinging a fluidly driven vehicle. My focus is not only on being green and efficient, but includes all problem areas of modern vehicles. I am curious though, how does one go about meeting with and pitching ideas to a group of investors? any help would be great.

  • Thomas R Collins Jr 1/11/2009 10:02:11 PM

    Got plans?

    I have been able to find books and manuals on building electric powered vehicles and gas-electric hybrids.

    But I have not been able to find anything other than highly simplified diagrams for gas-hydraulic hybrids like this one.

    Also this a series hydraulic hybrid without any computerization, yet it works. I'd gladly pay to see a parts list and detailed photos and/or drawings to see how he did it.

  • Rodney Noltensmeier 7/28/2008 2:25:04 PM

    Very interesting. Most of the parts necessary to build this car can be bought at a used Caterpillar Parts Center. I would like to see the oil diagram for this car. A small Diesel Engine should give great economy. Maybe a two or three cylinder.

  • Jerry 7/15/2008 6:19:13 PM

    If plans ever come from this then I WANT some. It would be nice to see about a follow up article on this subject.

  • Jim 6/26/2008 7:28:57 AM

    Are the plans available for the home-grown engineer that wants to build one of these?

  • Jim 6/26/2008 7:28:56 AM

    Are the plans available for the home-grown engineer that wants to build one of these?

  • Jim 6/26/2008 7:28:55 AM

    Are the plans available for the home-grown engineer that wants to build one of these?

  • Jeff 9/25/2007 10:31:16 AM

    Great car concept. I'd like to build something similar. What
    progress did they make? Are plans available?

  • blair 6/1/2007 6:12:33 PM

    So how do you build one? I'd be willing to give it a try with the
    knowledge available.

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