Study Indicates Air Hybrid Could Improve Fuel Economy 64 Percent in City Driving Conditions; Findings Presented During SAE 2003 World Congress

    WARRENDALE, Pa., Feb. 18 -- A soon-to-be-released study
projects that an air hybrid engine could improve fuel economy 64 percent in
city driving and 12 percent in highway driving.  Scientists from the
University of California, Ford Motor Company and consultant Michael M.
Schechter will present their findings during the SAE 2003 World Congress,
March 3 - 6, Cobo Center, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
    In a typical pattern of city driving, frequent vehicle starts and stops
are made, requiring a significant portion of fuel energy to be used to
accelerate. Much of this energy is converted into heat in brake friction
during subsequent decelerations. Capturing and reusing this braking energy can
help to improve fuel economy.
    It is generally accepted that electric hybrids are a proven technology,
capable of capturing and reusing braking energy. However, an air hybrid
accomplishes the same result, but with greater simplicity. The air hybrid
engine absorbs vehicle kinetic energy during braking, puts it into storage in
the form of compressed air, and reuses it to assist during acceleration
cycles. In contrast to the electric hybrid engine, the air hybrid does not
require a second propulsion system.
    Their study concludes that fuel economy improvement is possible with air
hybrid technology without requiring reduced vehicle weight to compensate for
additional hardware, and these efficiencies also can be realized without
reducing engine displacement. "Using Camless Valvetrain for Air Hybrid
Optimization" (SAE paper 2003-01-0038) will be presented 11 a.m., Monday,
March 3, Room D3-16/17/18 - Cobo Center.
    New to the SAE 2003 World Congress: DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General
Motors will hold corporate engineering meetings at Cobo followed by VIP tours
of the SAE 2003 exhibit floor; a Technology Theater on the exhibit floor, home
to executive panel discussions throughout the week; and a re-categorized
technical session program.
    SAE World Congress, the world's largest showcase of automotive engineering
technologies, attracts attendees from more than 40 countries. This year's host
company is DaimlerChrysler.
    To attend, visit http://www.sae.org or call 1-877-SAE-CONG (723-2664); outside
the U.S. and Canada, call 1-724-772-4027.