Quantum Ships Q-Force Diesel Hybrids to US Army TARDEC
09 November 2009
Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. is developing and shipping diesel hybrid vehicles to the US Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) National Automotive Center (NAC), with funding support through the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), and project administration through Alion.
Quantum developed the Clandestine Extended Range Vehicle (CERV), which is a diesel hybrid electric vehicle targeted for quick-paced special operations-type missions involving reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeting. The CERV design incorporates Quantum Q-Force, which is a new proprietary, advanced all-wheel-drive diesel hybrid electric powertrain. (Earlier post.)
Quantum designed a unique purpose-built light-weight chassis, integrated the Q-Force diesel hybrid electric powertrain, performed a series of vehicle performance and safety tests and successfully built a total of six hybrid vehicles as part of this program.
This unique vehicle has a torque rating that exceeds 5,000 lb-ft (6,779 N·m), can maintain a speed of 80 mph, and ascend 60% grades. The Q-Force hybrid powertrain is capable of reducing fuel consumption by up to 25% compared with a conventional vehicle, helping to significantly reduce the carbon footprint. CERV is up-fitted with a unique weapons ring that Quantum designed to enable higher fire power for this high performance, versatile platform.
Diesel engines are frequently more efficient than fuel cells even now, and they can become better. Jet fuel is now the official military fuel. It is even used in diesel airplane piston engines.
The INNAS NOAX engine could be used as a backup engine and could be made very light weight. The OPOC diesel is also interesting.
ZEBRA batteries are the only light weight batteries suitable for the large temperature range that military vehicles must operate. They can be used with more reliability with EFFPOWER high current batteries whilst the ZEBRA batteries are reaching operating temperature. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 10 November 2009 at 03:01 AM