Search Results

Two second-generation Zinc-Air powered minivans are in development for Southern California Edison by Dreisbach ElectroMotive, Inc. (DEMI). These vehicles utilize two 52.2-kW-peak (70-hp-peak) drive motors in parallel, driving a conventional 3-speed Torqueflite™ transmission and the Chrysler minivan's conventional power steering and air conditioning. The vehicles are equipped with electric heat and electric / vacuum power brakes. A 60-kWh Zinc-Air battery in conjunction with a 10-kWh NiCd load-leveling battery provides a peak power of 104.4-kW (140-hp, 120-kW electrical peak) and over 322 km (200 miles) range at 64 km/h (40 mph) while maintaining a 454 kg (1000 lb) payload capability. The vehicles are equipped with on-board high-medium-low rate chargers which can accommodate a range of available recharge power feeds.

The power coupler in a Southern California Edison / DEMI Zinc-Air powered Chrysler research minivan is detailed including circuit theory, performance and road testing experience. A coupler is defined here to mean an electrical device which connects two different power sources together such that each source can individually contribute its optimal power characteristics. The power coupler connects long operating range Zinc-Air batteries with peak power (acceleration) NiCd batteries in a battery-battery hybrid configuration. This circuit could also be used in a motor generator -battery hybrid, and with various battery types. The power coupler uses a single 18 kHz IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) switching circuit to provide main vehicle cruise power to 12 kW from the Zinc-Air battery at 95% conversion efficiency. When power demand exceeds 12 kW the difference is made up by the NiCd pack.

Dreisbach ElectroMotive, Inc. (DEMI) under the sponsorship of Arizona Public Service with assistance from Motorola Semiconductor Products and GM’s Saturn Division, has developed a second-generation high performance Zinc-Air powered electric vehicle (EV). The EV is based on a 1992 Saturn SC coupe chassis and uses a dual battery hybrid configuration to demonstrate acceleration, top speed and operating range approaching gasoline vehicle specifications. This electric powered Saturn SC beat a conventional Saturn SC1 in a 5 lap sprint race during the third Annual Solar and Electric 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. The DEMI/APS Saturn set a new electric stock car lap record of 40.8 seconds during the race and was about 1 second per lap faster than the stock reference car. Both cars were set up by the Saturn Engineering department just prior to the race and used identical race-prepared tires.