Ok greenies, techies, and cheapies, heres an idea for ya.
Sterling Engines.
Why doesnt toyota or honda add one of these to an existing hybrid to increase efficency? Think about it for a minute, whats the biggest by product of the ICE besides exaust? HEAT! Why not use that to our advantage? Use the preradiated coolant to heat a gas chamber (regular air should work), pump that into the hot side of the sterling engine, and just use and air inlet from the outside for the cold side? I'm not sure how small you could make one or how efficent it is, but considering you really wouldnt have to put any energy into it besides heat, and you can get electricty out it could have alot of potential. I cant seem to find any information on anyone using this in a hybrid format. What do you guys think?
Sterling Engines.
Why doesnt toyota or honda add one of these to an existing hybrid to increase efficency? Think about it for a minute, whats the biggest by product of the ICE besides exaust? HEAT! Why not use that to our advantage? Use the preradiated coolant to heat a gas chamber (regular air should work), pump that into the hot side of the sterling engine, and just use and air inlet from the outside for the cold side? I'm not sure how small you could make one or how efficent it is, but considering you really wouldnt have to put any energy into it besides heat, and you can get electricty out it could have alot of potential. I cant seem to find any information on anyone using this in a hybrid format. What do you guys think?