Long-term gas turbines
Page 11
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A RECIPROCATING interni combustion engine could vvE be abandoned in the future in radical change in powertrai technology, according to J. Oldfield, a vice-president of For of Europe.
Speaking at the conferenc "Energy related to vehicle di sign" at the Open Universit Milton Keynes, Mr Oldfield sal that the motor industry, incluc ing Ford, is working on number of alternatives but thee are not likely to be seen i volume production during th next ten to 20 years.
He suggested that the mo: promising long-term alternatiy may be the gas turbine in vie of its inherent thermodynam advantages.
Mr Oldfield said that Ford is t develop a gas turbine for autc motive use in conjunction wit Garrett AiResearch.
The work is sponsored by th US Government and pilot prc duction is scheduled for 1991.
The US Department of Energ has reported recently that witt out a breakthrough in batter technology, it saw no compet tive future for the electri powered vehicle in this centun and Mr Oldfield said that thi confirmed the Ford view.
"It is doubtful if it will eve represent a complete alternativ to the internal combustion er gine," he said.
Mr Oldfield also mentione the sodium heat engine which i designed to convert heat directl into electrical energy withoi_ mechanical parts and at ver high efficiencies.
Development is at a very earl stage and the first application c this type of power unit is nc expected before the year 200( according to Ford.