Forums > Social Discussion > Failed... And Thank God They Did!

Posted: 8th Mar 2007
the rover turbine cars didn't go into production, but chrysler made a limited run of turbine cars in the early 60's.

Thank god they didn't catch on.

https://www.allpar.com/mopar/turbine.html

Posted: 8th Mar 2007
Not just history lessons, you'd be telling your kids myths about it!

"It was a magical blanket that covered mother earth and kept her safe and warm!"

I'm glad those cars didn't take off though, they would've made an awful nasty dent in the Ozone alright!

Speed of Dark: As yet unmeasured, but believed to be faster than light owing to its ability to move so quickly out of light's way. -- Terry Pratchett

[total number of times I've been hit in the head with poi: 10! <--- Double Digits!!!!]

Posted: 8th Mar 2007
These look like fun

Posted: 8th Mar 2007

 Written by: Stout


These look like fun

should try and mount one of those engines in my Vespa

God those Chryslers were ugly!!

Posted: 8th Mar 2007
Actually, gas turbine engines can be very efficient. They power commercial aircraft and produce much more thrust per weight with much better fuel efficiency than a similarly-powered piston engine.

A few problems: Gas turbine engines are most efficient at high power, as in a flight. They are not efficient with frequent changes in power and they change power much more slowly than an internal combustion engine. So they are ideal for marine and aviation applications, but for automotive applications, they just aren't very good.

I doubt it would have been the ecologic disaster you think, though. There's a reason they never caught on, and it's nothing to do with ecology.

-Mike

Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella



A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura

Posted: 8th Mar 2007
back 'then' small turbines were far from efficient. even when spooled up to optimum speed. it would have been a awful lot of pollution untill they developed the turbines untill they were even efficient under ideal circumstances.



I think someday soon you might see a remergence of turbines. A turbine/electric hybrid car has potential for being extreamly efficient with todays modern micro turbines.

Posted: 8th Mar 2007
They're really waiting for the development of good continuously variable transmissions. A piston engine can change it's speed pretty quickly, just by letting off the gas, so a gearbox with 5 ratios is fine. The engine can use the first ratio until it is running at it's maximum speed, then drop in speed enough to switch to the next ratio.



With a continuously variable transmission the engine runs at one speed (the one that gives the best power/fuel economy) and the gear ratio of the transmission is changed to give different speeds.



This kind of transmission would make all kinds of combustion engines more efficient, as when you change gear in a car the engine rpms change from the most fuel efficient to a lower speed (you can see the smoke come out the exhaust when it happens).



Gas turbines are already used in tanks and trains, where fuel efficiency is a concern. The difference there is that they are much larger than in cars. Making all the parts smaller and keeping efficiency is a problem.



One of the biggest benefits of this kind of engine is the range of fuels it can burn. Pretty much any flammable liquid or gas. They may be run on petrol or diesel now, but could very easily be switched to hydrogen or alcohol.

You aren't thinking or really existing unless you're willing to risk even your own sanity in the judgment of your existence.

Green peppers, lime pickle and whole-grain mustard = best sandwich filling.