Hybrids: New Patent for affordable plug-In drivetrain

AFS Trinity enhanced the architecture, power electronics and control strategy for the Extreme Hybrid (XH) plug-in focussing on affordability

The proposed XH system uses lithium-ion “energy batteries” in combination with ultracapacitors for the vehicle’s electric energy storage system. The energy batteries are lower in cost than li-ion batteries optimized for power delivery.
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These lithium-ion energy batteries are expected to cost $200 to $300/kWh for this type of cell. They are different from the lithium-ion power batteries that are expected to be used by other hybrids and plug-in hybrids and that are now found in some power tools.

Such power batteries currently cost as much as $750/kWh and are not expected to go below $500/kWh in five years. We also expect that the lower cost lithium-ion batteries that the XH will use will out-perform any known nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries as well." —Donald Bender, AFS Trinity Chief Technology Officer

The use of ultracapacitors in combination with lithium-ion batteries allows the batteries to be both charged and deep-discharged without overheating or becoming less reliable, according to AFS Trinity. Instead of the batteries delivering the short bursts of power needed for acceleration, the ultracapacitors do this work. The ultracaps also capture the regenerative braking energy. The ultracaps make possible the use of the lower-cost lithium-ion batteries that are optimized for energy delivery, not power delivery.

The company is designing the XH to have up to a 40-mile All-Electric Range and to support electric driving at freeway speeds. Once the all-electric range is exceeded, the Extreme Hybrid will operate like a charge-sustaining conventional hybrid by using its gasoline or diesel engine in combination with electric power.

"Mileage savings obtained from driving conventional hybrids are not large enough to offset their higher purchase prices that are linked to their expensive battery packs. Battery cost becomes even more important for plug-in hybrids. By providing much higher mileage and using low-cost batteries, AFS Trinity expects its Extreme Hybrid drivetrain to make possible the first money-saving hybrid vehicles of any kind. Drivers should expect the Extreme Hybrid to pay for itself in five years or less depending on your driving habits and the future price of gasoline." —Edward Furia, AFS Trinity Power Corporation CEO

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, plug-in, drivetrain , hybrids

Source: Green Car Congress

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