AZEqualizer
04-22-2009, 06:03 PM
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/04/wankel-apu.jpg
This article was posted on Autobloggreen: (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/04/22/sae-2009-fev-proposes-wankel-rotary-as-range-extender/)
Engineering services company FEV has been studying the problem of small range extender engines for electric vehicles, working quietly and smoothly and has decided to propose an unusual solution. FEV has built an experimental range extended electric version of the Fiat 500 that uses a small Wankel rotary engine as the APU. The Wankel has a number of potential advantages, including much higher power density than piston engines and virtually vibration free operation. The high specific power output means that a very small engine can be used that reduces weight and adds packaging flexibility. The downside is that Wankel's traditionally aren't very fuel efficient. However, FEV feels that most ER-EVs will be driven predominantly in EV mode and the limited use of the range extender will limit the effect of the lower engine efficiency. New Wankel engines can also be made more efficient through the adoption of technology like direct fuel injection.
This article was posted on Autobloggreen: (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/04/22/sae-2009-fev-proposes-wankel-rotary-as-range-extender/)
Engineering services company FEV has been studying the problem of small range extender engines for electric vehicles, working quietly and smoothly and has decided to propose an unusual solution. FEV has built an experimental range extended electric version of the Fiat 500 that uses a small Wankel rotary engine as the APU. The Wankel has a number of potential advantages, including much higher power density than piston engines and virtually vibration free operation. The high specific power output means that a very small engine can be used that reduces weight and adds packaging flexibility. The downside is that Wankel's traditionally aren't very fuel efficient. However, FEV feels that most ER-EVs will be driven predominantly in EV mode and the limited use of the range extender will limit the effect of the lower engine efficiency. New Wankel engines can also be made more efficient through the adoption of technology like direct fuel injection.