AIR POWERED CAR

1. ABSTRACT

The Air car is a car currently being developed and, eventually,

manufactured by MoteurDeveloppement International (MDI), founded by the
French inventor Guy Nègre. It will be sold by this company too, as well as by
ZevCat, a US company, based in California.
The air car is powered by an air engine, specifically tailored for the car.
The used air engine is being manufactured by CQFD Air solution, a company
closely linked to MDI.
The engine is powered by compressed air, stored in a glass or carbon-fibre
tank at 4500 psi. The engine has injection similar to normal engines, but uses
special crankshafts and pistons, which remain at top dead center for about 70%
of the engine's cycle; this allows more power to be developed in the engine.

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2.INTRODUCTION

An Air Car is a car that can run on compressed air alone without the use of
conventional fuels used in present day automobiles. The car is powered by an
air engine. The air engine is an emission-free pistonengine using compressed
air. The engines are similar to steam engines as they use the expansion of
externally supplied pressurised gas to perform work against a piston.
For practical application to transportation, several technical problems must
be first addressed:

 As the pressurised air expands, it is cooled, which limits the efficiency. This
cooling reduces the amount of energy that can be recovered by expansion, so
practical engines apply ambient heat to increase the expansion available.
 Conversely, the compression of the air by pumps (to pressurise the tanks) will
heat the air. If this heat is not recovered it represents a further loss of energy
and so reduces efficiency.
 Storage of air at high pressure requires strong containers, which if not made of
exotic materials will be heavy, reducing vehicle efficiency, while exotic
materials (such as carbon fibre composites) tend to be expensive.
 Energy recovery in a vehicle during braking by compressing air also generates
heat, which must be conserved for efficiency.
 It should be noted that the air engine is not truly emission-free, since the power
to compress the air initially usually involves emissions at the point of
generation.

This most recent development using pressurized air as fuel in an engine

was invented by Guy Nègre, a French engineer. In 1991 the inventor Guy
Nègre started up MoteurDeveloppement International (MDI), Luxembourgand
invented a dual-energy engine running on both compressed air as on regular
fuel. From this moment on he managed to create a compressed air only-engine,
and improved his design to make it more powerful. In the 15 years he's been
working on this engine, considerable progress has been made: the engine is

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now claimed to be competitive with modern ICEs. It is probably still not as

powerful as an ICE (although depending on which model of air engine vs
model ICE). Proponents claim that this is of little importance since the car can
simply be made lighter, or the tanks be put on a higher pressure (psi-level),
pushing the engine to above a comparable ICE-engine.

Other people that have been working on the idea areArmando Regusci and
Angelo Di Pietro. They too have companies, Rugusci started up Regusci Air
and Di Pietro started up Engine Air. They are selling their engines.

Engine Design

It uses the expansion of compressed air to drive the pistons in a modified

piston engine. Efficiency of operation is gained through the use of
environmental heat at normal temperature to warm the otherwise cold
expanded air from the storage tank. This non-adiabatic expansion has the
potential to greatly increase the efficiency of the machine. The only exhaust
gas is cold air (−15 °C), which may also be used for air conditioning in a car.
The source for air is a pressurized glass or carbon-fiber tank holding air at
around 3,000 lbf/in² (20 MPa). Air is delivered to the engine via a rather
conventional injection system. Unique crank design within the engine
increases the time during which the air charge is warmed from ambient
sources and a two stage process allows improved heat transfer rates.

The Armando Regusci's version of the air engine has several advantages
over the original Guy Nègre's one. In the initial Guy Nègre's air engine, one
piston compresses air from the atmosphere, holding it on a small container that
feeds the high pressure air tanks with a small amount of air. Then that portion
of the air is sent to the second piston where it works. During compression for

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heating it up, there is a loss of energy due to the fact that it cannot receive
energy from the atmosphere as the atmosphere is less warm than it. Also, it has
to expand as it has the crank. The Guy Nègre's air engine works with constant
torque, and the only way to change the torque to the wheels is to use a pulley
transmission of constant variation, losing efficiency. In theRegusci's version,
the transmission system is direct to the wheel, and has variable torque from
zero to the maximum with all the efficiency. When vehicle is stopped, Guy
Nègre's engine has to be on and working, losing energy, while the Regusci's
version has not.

In July 2004, Guy Nègre abandoned his original design, and showed later a
new design where he stated to have it invented back in year 2001, but his new
design is identical to the Armando Regusci's air engine which was patented
back in 1989 (Uruguay) with the patent number 22976, and back in 1990
(Argentina). In those same patents, it is mentioned the use of electrical motors
to compress air in the tanks.

Uses of air engine

The Nègre engine is used to power an urban car with room for five
passengers and a projected range of about 100 to 200 miles (160 to 320 km),
depending on traffic conditions. The main advantages are: no roadside
emissions, low cost technology, engine uses food oil for lubrication (just about
1 liter, changes only every 30,000 miles (50,000 km)) and integrated air
conditioning. Range could be quickly tripled, since there are already carbon
fiber tanks which have passed safety standards holding gas at 10,000 lbf/in²
(70 MPa).

The tanks may be refilled in about three minutes at a service station, or in a

few hours at home plugging the car into the electric grid via an on-board
compressor. However, the air engine and refueling system, considered as a
system, are not pollution free except in special cases, as the electric power
generation would have its own environmental costs. One of the special cases is
where an operator of such a vehicle installs photovoltaic or wind drive electric
power generation.

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3. MDI CAT’s (Compressed air technology cars)

MDI prepares to introduce compressed air vehicles to the market. MDI

has developed a high performance compressed air technology. When it is
compared to traditional gasoline powered engines, MDI´s engine is far
superior in terms of energy used and thermodynamics.

An overview of the air car

The technology that MDI vehicles use is not new, in fact it had been
around for years. Compressed air technology allows for engines that are both
non polluting and economical. After ten years of research and development,
MDI is prepared to introduce its clean vehicles onto the market. Unlike electric
or hydrogen powered vehicles, MDI vehicles are not expensive and do not
have a limited driving range. MDI cars are affordable and have a performance
rate that stands up to current standards. To sum it up, they are non-expensive
cars that do not pollute and are easy to get around cities in.

Two technologies have been developed to meet different needs:

Single energy compressed air engines
Dual energy compressed air plus fuel engines
The single energy engines will be available in both Minicats and Citycats.
These engines have been conceived for city use, where the maximum speed is
50 km/h and where MDI believes polluting will soon be prohibited.

The dual energy engine, on the other hand, has been conceived as much for
the city as the open road and will be available in all MDI vehicles. The engines
will work exclusively with compressed air while it is running under 50 km/h in
urban areas. But when the car is used outside urban areas at speeds over 50
km/h, the engines will switch to fuel mode. The engine will be able to use
gasoline, gas oil, bio diesel, gas, liquidized gas, ecological fuel, alcohol, etc.

Both engines will be available with 2, 4 and 6 cylinders, When the air tanks
are empty the driver will be able to switch to fuel mode by using the car’s on

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board computer. The vehicles do not have normal speed gauges. Instead, they
will have a small computer screen that shows the speed and engine
revolutions. The system allows for infinite possibilities such as GSM
telephone systems, GPS satellite tracking systems, programs for delivery
people, emergency systems, internet connections, voice recognitions, map
presentation, traffic information... in three words: the future is now.

Unlike the majority of traditional cars on the market, MDI´s vehicle's have
fibre glass bodies which makes them light, silent urban car. The car's body is
tubular, light weight, and is held together using aerospace technology.

Fig 1. An MDI CAT car

Regarding security, the seatbelt system is different from what we know.

One part of the belt is anchored to the floor of the car, like traditional cars. The
other part of the belt, in stead of being attached to the side of the car, is also

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anchored to the floor of the vehicle. This helps to secure the bodies of the
driver and passengers in the case of a collision.

MDI is also considering a system to replace traditional keys. This system

would utilize an access card. With this card it would be possible to open the
car from a short distance away without having to actually insert anything in the
car.

In the single energy mode MDI cars consume less than one euro every
100Km. (around 0.75 Euros) that is to say, 10 time less than gasoline powered
cars.

When there is no combustion, there is no pollution. The vehicle's driving

range is close to twice that of the most advanced electric cars (from 200 to 300
km or 8 hours of circulation) This is exactly what the urban market needs
where, as previously mentioned, 80% of the drivers move less than 60Km. a
day.

The recharging of the car will be done at gas stations, once the market is
developed. To fill the tanks it will take about to 2 to 3 minutes at a price of 1.5
euros. After refilling the car will be ready to drive 200 kilometres.

The car also has a small compressor that can be connected to an electrical
network (220V or 380V) and will recharge the tanks completely in 3 or 4
minutes.

Because the engine does not burn any fuel the car's oil(a litre of vegetable)
only needs to be changed every 50,000Km. The temperature of the clean air
expulsed form the exhaust pipe is between 0 and 15 degrees below zero and
can be subsequently channelled and used for air conditioning in the interior of
the car.

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4.The Air car's technical details

a) Compressed air tanks

The compressed air tank is a glass or carbon-fibre tank. These tanks hold 90
cubic metres of air compressed to 300 bars. This system is not dangerous in
case of an accident as there is no risk of operation. Because these are the same
tanks used to carry the liquid gas used by buses for public transport. The tanks
enjoy the same technology developed to contain natural gas. They are
designed and officially approved to carry an explosive product: methane gas.

In the case of a major accident, where the tanks are ruptured, they would not
explode since they are not metal. Instead they would crack, as they are made
of carbon fibre. An elongated crack would appear in the tank, without
exploding, and the air would simply escape, producing a loud but harmless
noise. Of course, since this technology is licensed to transport an inflammable
and explosive gas (Natural gas), it is perfectly capable inoffensive and non-
flammable air.

The tanks in CATs vehicles are composed of an interior thermoplastic

container which ensures it is airtight. This is held in a coiled and crossed
carbon fibre shell. This technique is the result of many studies into factors
such as: mechanical specifications, density of material, choice of fibres etc.
The conditions of use are maximum effective pressure (300 bar) and the
temperature of use: from –40°C to 60°C.

The tanks are submitted to numerous tests to meet official approval, among
which are:

. Airtight testing
. Pressure testing (1.5×300=405 b)
. Rupture testing (2.35×300=705 b)
. Cycles at ambient and extreme temperatures
. Fire-resistance testing

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. Resistance to cuts
. Shock and fall testing

During rupture testing, the tank cracks, but does not break up, producing no
splinters or fragments. In the event of a cracked tank, it is most likely to occur
within the cylinder itself.

Fig 8.Special machines making the tubular shell

The tanks used in the CAT´s vehicles should last for a period of fifteen years,
to be tested every five years and are subject to wear and tear according to
conditions of use. The tanks weigh 35 - 40 kg for 100 litres of air at 300 bars.
In the MiniCat´s the tanks weigh 70 - 80 kg. For extra security, a protective

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plate is fixed underneath the vehicle´s chassis and in addition limits access to
the circuit of high pressure air. There is also an extraction system to deal with
water produced by condensation.

b) Brake power recovery

The MDI vehicles will be equipped with a range of modern systems. For
example, one mechanism stops the engine when the car is stationary (at traffic
lights, junctions etc). Another interesting feature is the pneumatic system
which recovers about 13% of the power used.

c) The body

The MDI car body is built with fibre and injected foam, as are most of the cars
on the market today. This technology has two main advantages: cost and
weight. Nowadays the use of sheet steel for car bodies is only because of cost -
it is cheaper to serially produce sheet steel bodies than fibre ones. However,
fibre is safer (it doesn´t cut like steel), is

easier to repair (it is glued), doesn´t rust etc. MDI is currently looking into
using hemp fibre to replace fibre-glass, and natural varnishes, to produce
100% non-contaminating bodywork.

d) The Air Filter

The MDI engine works with both air taken from the atmosphere and air pre-
compressed in tanks. Air is compressed by the on-board compressor or at
service stations equipped with a high-pressure compressor.

Before compression, the air must be filtered to get rid of any impurities that
could damage the engine. Carbon filters are used to eliminate dirt, dust,
humidity and other particles which, unfortunately, are found in the air in our
cities.

This represents a true revolution in automobiles - it is the first time that a car
has produced minus pollution, i.e. it eliminates and reduces existing pollution

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rather than emitting dirt and harmful gases. The exhaust pipe on the MDI cars
produces clean air, which is cold on exit (between -15º and 0º) and is harmless
to human life. With this system the air that comes out of the car is cleaner than
the air that went in.

e) The Chassis

Based on its experience in aeronautics, MDI has put together highly-

resistant, yet light, chassis, aluminium rods glued together. Using rods enables
to build a more shock-resistant chassis than regular chassis. Additionally, the
rods are glued in the same way as aircraft, allowing quick assembly and a
more secure join than with welding. This system helps to reduce manufacture
time.

f) Electrical system

Guy Nègre, inventor of the MDI Air Car, acquired the patent for an interesting
invention for installing electrics in a vehicle. Using a radio transmission
system, each electrical component receives signals with a microcontroller.
Thus only one cable is needed for the whole car. So, instead of wiring each
component (headlights, dashboard lights, lights inside the car, etc), one cable
connects all electrical parts in the car. The most obvious advantages are the
ease of installation and repair and the removal of the approximately 22 kg of
wires no longer necessary. Whats more, the entire system becomes an anti-
theft alarm as soon as the key is removed from the car.

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5. Models
a) Family

A spacious car with seats which can face different directions. The vehicle´s
design is based on the needs of a typical family.

Characteristics: Airbag, air conditioning, 6 seats.

750
Weight:
kg

Maximum 110
speed: km/h

200
-
Mileage:
300
km

Max 500
load: Kg

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b)Van

Designed for daily use in industrial, urban or rural environments, whose

primary drivers would be tradesmen, farmers and delivery drivers.

Specifications:Airbag, air conditioning,2 seats, 1.5 m3.

750
Weight:
kg

Maximum 110
speed: km/h

200
-
Mileage:
300
km

Maximum 500
load: Kg

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c)Taxi

Inspired by the London Taxi, with numerous ergonomic and comfort

advantages for the passenger as well as for the driver.

Specifications:Airbag, air conditioning, 6 seats.

750
Weight:
kg

Maximum 110
speed: km/h

200
-
Mileage:
300
km

Maximum 500
load:

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6. ADVANTAGES OF AIR POWERED CAR

 It uses no gasoline or other bio-carbon based fuel.

 Compressed air engines reduce the cost of vehicle production because there
is no need to build a cooling system, spark plugs or starter motor.
 Reduction or elimination of hazardous chemicals such as gasoline or battery
acids/metals.
 Pollution free and easy to manufacture.
 Very low cost and fuel efficient (compressed air).
 Low maintenance cost.

7. DISADVANTAGES OF AIR POWERED CAR

 Limited storage capacities of the compressed air tank.

 A tank containing 30MPA compressed air is risky and dangerous.
 Low boot space, as compressed air car, will be having a compressed air tank.
 Running the vehicle on compressed air will be requiring the provision for
filling the compressed air in the tank.

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8. Compressed air car uses/applications

 They offer greater power density (a smaller pneumatic motor can provide the
same amount of power as a larger electric motor).

 do not require an auxiliary speed controller (adding to its compactness).

generate less heat, and can be used in more volatile atmospheres as they do
not require electric power and do not create sparks. They can be loaded to
stop with full torque without any damage.

 Easy for transportation within the organizations or manufacturing plants.

9.Conclusion

The air car which is the result of a long research and development is a
clean, easy to drive, high performance car. MDI has achieved what the large
car manufactures have promised in a hundred years time.

The end product is a light weight vehicle that can reach speeds up to 220
km/h (even though the legal limit is 120), a product that does not pollute like
twentieth century vehicles and does not take a lifetime to pay off. Essentially,
MDI has developed a modern, clean, and cheap car that meets most people’s
needs.

The principle advantages for an air powered vehicle are:

 Fast recharge time

 Long storage lifetime (electric vehicle batteries have a limited useful number of
cycles, and sometimes a limited calendar lifetime, irrespective of use).
 Potentially lower initial cost than battery electric vehicles when mass produced

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10. REFERENCES:

 http://www.theaircar.com
 http://www.zeropollution.com
 http://www.howstuffworks.com
 http://www.necnp.org
 http://www.zevcat.com
 http://www.evolution.co.za

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