Air Powered Cars
Franco Zecchin
MDI Enterprise of Carros, France. As odd as it sounds, running a car on air is a reality. Proof of concept and prototype compressed air vehicles – commonly referred to as “air cars” – have been running around for a number of years. How could it be possible to run on air? Consider the physical work that compressed air already does to make our everyday lives easier. Mechanics rely on air-driven pneumatic tools every day to turn nuts and bolts with authority in garages around the world. Pneumatic tools are powerful, even at a relatively low pounds per-square-inch (psi) pressure setting. They can free rusted-on lug nuts and separate metal from metal through an air hammer or pneumatic chisel. Crank the pressure up and compressed air is a force to be reckoned with, providing enough power to even propel a wheel driven car. Perhaps that was the inspiration that led former Renault F1 mechanic Guy Negre of Motor Development International (MDI) to pursue compressed air propulsion for the auto industry. And what could be more environmentally friendly than a car with atmospheric air as its only exhaust emission? There’s no combustion whatsoever. Power comes from compressed air sourced from special high-pressure compressors run by electricity from the grid. MDI’s design uses a pair of air driven pistons, one large and one small, to turn a crankshaft that produces a rotational force. The technology can potentially be paired in two, four, or six cylinder engine configurations and the design is quite inventive. Since there is no combustion and the only engine heat comes from friction, the engine can be made primarily from lightweight aluminum. For those who want the technical details, here’s the scoop: In MDI’s air engine, the small piston has a conventional connecting rod for turning the crankshaft, while its neighboring larger piston utilizes an innovative rocker arm configuration with the connecting rod. This design allows the large piston to pause at top-dead-center for 70 degrees of crankshaft rotation while metered air pressure builds in a prechamber as the small piston keeps the crank turning during its power stroke. The large piston then turns the crankshaft with greater power as the pair combine to produce power over 270 degrees of crankshaft rotation. Got that all? Prototype air cars are minimalist transportation that typically exhibit a top speed of about 70 mph and a range of approximately 125 miles on flat roads before requiring a refill. Compressed air is stored at 300 bar (4351 psi) in carbon fiber tanks mounted longitudinally beneath the vehicle floor. Refilling can be accomplished in a matter of minutes at a special high-pressure pump or in about four hours via a home refueling appliance or even an on-board compressor. In 2007, Tata Motors licensed the rights from MDI for $28 million to build and sell Tata-branded air cars in India. Tata has not confirmed if it will build one of the MDI prototype cars or, more likely, install the MDI technology in one of its existing cars like the light weight Nano (shown here). The Nano is Tata’s $2,500 “scooter replacement” people’s car that recently made headlines. While sought after in developing countries, this inexpensive car clearly won’t meet federal emissions and safety requirements in the U.S. and other regulated markets around the world. Still, the addition of air power to an already inexpensive and efficient model would be quite appealing in the Indian market and others where fundamental transportation is in demand, and air pollution could be a serious challenge as exponentially greater numbers of vehicles make their way to the highway. In the United States, a company called Zero Pollution Motors (ZPM) has licensed the rights to produce the MDI design in a U.S. factory. Based in New Platz, New York, ZPM has an ambitious goal of rolling out a North American compressed air vehicle for $18,000 by 2010. The company most recently unveiled MDI’s newest car at the Automotive X-Prize exhibit at the New York Auto Show. ZPM and MDI will field two entries – the U.S. production six seat, four door prototype in the mainstream class, and the three seat, two door economy-utility model in the alternative class. Air cars haven’t escaped the attention of mainstream U.S. automakers, too. For example, Ford has worked with an engineering team at UCLA to develop an air hybrid. In this application, the air hybrid builds air pressure using the engine as a pump while shut down during deceleration, and then utilizes the recaptured energy to launch the vehicle from a stop. Special electrohydraulic actuators in the valvetrain make the transition possible. Air powered cars are not a new idea, and in fact the concept actually predates a viable internal combustion engine. In his book, “Paris in the 21st Century,” Jules Verne foresaw a transportation system utilizing compressed air. Now, modern visionaries are striving to make that dream come true with the air car. © text by Todd Kaho http://www.greencar.com/features/air-powered-cars/ http://www.mdi.lu/eng/affiche_eng.php?page=accueil http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_N%C3%A8gre http://en.wikivisual.com/index.php/Air_engine http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/the-air-car-blows-back-into-the-picture/?hp http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/259902 http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4217016.html http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/08/08/air.car/index.html#cnnSTCText
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168414 The CityCATs test vehicle in front of the MDI Enterprise of Carros. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168436 The CATs Type-41 engine and the MiniCATs in the back. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168415 The CATs Type-41 engine and the CityCATs test vehicle in the back. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168445 The inventor engineer Guy Negre with a scale model of the MultiCATs bus. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168443 The CATs Type-41 engine utilised by the Emergency Electricity Generator. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168428 The CityCATs Taxi vehicle. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168430 The CityCATs Taxi vehicle. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France.@ STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168432 The CityCATs Taxi vehicle. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168447 The CATs Type-41 engine. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168435 The OneCATs filled by compressed air. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168448 The Compressed Air Storage System. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168449 The Compressed Air Storage System. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168442 The CATs Type-41 engine utilised by the Emergency Electricity Generator (EEG). MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168416 The CityCATs test vehicle running. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168420 The CityCATs test vehicle: the compressed air tanks. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168423 The CityCATs test vehicle: Daniel is opening the compressed air valve to start the engine. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168418 The CityCATs test vehicle interior. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168425 The CityCATs test vehicle: Daniel is driving. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168446 The CATs Type-41 engine. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168419 The MiniCATs. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168421 The MiniCATs. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168455 The MiniCATs interior. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168424 The MiniCATs. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168439 The CATs Type-41 engine utilised by the Emergency Electricity Generator (EEG). MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168441 Mechanic workshop. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168438 Mechanic workshop. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168450 The CATs Type-41 engine production. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168444 The engine test bench. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168437 The Emergency Electricity Generator (EEG) utilizes the CATs Type-41 engine. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168433 The OneCATs. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168431 The OneCATs at the compressed air filling station. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168429 The OneCATs at the compressed air filling station. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168427 The OneCATs filled by compressed air. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168411 The inventor engineer Guy Negre. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168410 The inventor engineer Guy Negre driving the OneCATs. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168409 Guy Negre driving the OneCATs. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168407 The inventor engineer Guy Negre. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168434 The MiniCATs. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168406 The inventor engineer Guy Negre with his son Cyril. MDI Enterprises, Carros, France. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Franco Zecchin / Picturetank ZEF0168412 The MDI logo is a flower. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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