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Air Cars - A New Wind in the Automotive Industry
Gasoline has become the fuel of the past and now many car manufacturers are hunting for better alternatives of fuels that will help protect the environment from harmful greenhouse emissions. Cars running on gasoline have majorly contributed to about 70% of the total environmental pollution. Now many manufacturers feel that air can be a better option to fuel cars as air will have zero emissions.
Air cars will be a new wind of change in the automotive industry that will blow away the traditional means of fueling automobiles. The idea of running a car on compressed air was earlier considered to be unrealistic but gradually researchers founded that it can prove to be one of the best fuels of the future. The introduction of air-powered cars will leave behind a trail of fresh air to breathe and a warm environment to live in.
Air cars will be a new wind of change in the automotive industry that will blow away the traditional means of fueling automobiles. The idea of running a car on compressed air was earlier considered to be unrealistic but gradually researchers founded that it can prove to be one of the best fuels of the future. The introduction of air-powered cars will leave behind a trail of fresh air to breathe and a warm environment to live in.
Introduction of First Air-Powered Cars
The first air-powered cars will be developed by a French company, Motor Development International (MDI). It is a project initiated by Negre, the CEO of the company, who was a mechanical engineer and started his career doing research on efficiency of engines. Presently, the company is developing several small and lightweight air-powered cars.
The first air cars will use Compressed Air Engine (CAE) that will have tanks with a capacity of 3,200 cubic feet. The accelerator in the car will operate the valve positioned on the tank that in turn will push air into a pipe. In the pipe, air will expand and push the piston which will further turn the crankshaft. Eventually, enough power will be provided to drive the car.
It is believed that the first air car will be released in France followed by the rest of Europe. MDI first plans to roll out the basic air car model, OneFlowAir, priced at around Rs 2.2 Lakh.
The first air cars will use Compressed Air Engine (CAE) that will have tanks with a capacity of 3,200 cubic feet. The accelerator in the car will operate the valve positioned on the tank that in turn will push air into a pipe. In the pipe, air will expand and push the piston which will further turn the crankshaft. Eventually, enough power will be provided to drive the car.
It is believed that the first air car will be released in France followed by the rest of Europe. MDI first plans to roll out the basic air car model, OneFlowAir, priced at around Rs 2.2 Lakh.
Creative Technology behind Air Cars
MDI has adopted innovative technologies and concepts for its production method. The company uses the most advanced and special types of engine, chassis, body structure, and other accessories to produce air cars.
To develop the chassis, MDI has designed a mixed wire netting frame with different tubes and foundry parts assembled using an adhesive. Foundry parts are then linked to each other using aluminium tubes. The adhesive used is an epoxy adhesive is mainly taken for use inspired by the aircraft industry.
A single molded piece is used for the technical base and the seat as well as the external body is used as a frame. Further to that, there are inserts integrated into the single molded piece to support the principal mechanic system and the suspensions.
To develop the chassis, MDI has designed a mixed wire netting frame with different tubes and foundry parts assembled using an adhesive. Foundry parts are then linked to each other using aluminium tubes. The adhesive used is an epoxy adhesive is mainly taken for use inspired by the aircraft industry.
A single molded piece is used for the technical base and the seat as well as the external body is used as a frame. Further to that, there are inserts integrated into the single molded piece to support the principal mechanic system and the suspensions.
The body of the car designed by MDI is composed of composite materials, fiber glass, and polyester resin on polyurethane foam. The composite materials are lighter and much expensive and even the choice of Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) is possible on the materials. It is a process where resin is inserted into the mold before the molding process. The key advantages of this process are high accuracy and rapid manufacturer. The polyester resin and fiber glass have a capacity to absorb energy in case of shocks.
MDI has designed two types of engines to power air cars, mano-energy engines and dual-energy engines. Mano energy engines are completely eco-friendly engines that can fill only compressed air. In this type of engine, the air is compressed in the vehicle’s tank and from there it passes the network of system to power the engine. In the dual-energy engine, there is a mixture of compressed air and energetic adjuvant. In such an engine, an external combustion chamber is added that uses the energetic adjuvant to heat the compressed air before introducing it into the system of expansion with work.
To support this highly efficient engine high pressure tank composed of carbon fiber and thermoplastic liner are used.
At present, MDI is designing an assortment of air cars to show the real potential of compressed air in the automotive market. The base model is known to be the OneFlowAir. Some of the other variants or versions introduced by MDI are the CityFlowerAir, AirPod, MiniFlowAir, CityFlowAir, and the MultiFlowAir. All these air cars are the culmination of MDI’s research on futuristic design, pollution, and mobility.
MDI has designed two types of engines to power air cars, mano-energy engines and dual-energy engines. Mano energy engines are completely eco-friendly engines that can fill only compressed air. In this type of engine, the air is compressed in the vehicle’s tank and from there it passes the network of system to power the engine. In the dual-energy engine, there is a mixture of compressed air and energetic adjuvant. In such an engine, an external combustion chamber is added that uses the energetic adjuvant to heat the compressed air before introducing it into the system of expansion with work.
To support this highly efficient engine high pressure tank composed of carbon fiber and thermoplastic liner are used.
At present, MDI is designing an assortment of air cars to show the real potential of compressed air in the automotive market. The base model is known to be the OneFlowAir. Some of the other variants or versions introduced by MDI are the CityFlowerAir, AirPod, MiniFlowAir, CityFlowAir, and the MultiFlowAir. All these air cars are the culmination of MDI’s research on futuristic design, pollution, and mobility.
MDI Collaboration with Tata Motors
MDI has collaborated with Tata Motors to get the exclusive license of manufacturing and producing air cars in India. Tata Motors has recently gained a lot of appreciation and dominance in the market with the launch of its revolutionary Nano city car.
Tata is planning to introduce the air-powered version of the Nano as well in near future. The company desires to spark a new revolution in the Indian car market with the introduction of first air cars. In India, the proposed air car is speculated to be known as ‘CityCat’.
Tata is planning to introduce the air-powered version of the Nano as well in near future. The company desires to spark a new revolution in the Indian car market with the introduction of first air cars. In India, the proposed air car is speculated to be known as ‘CityCat’.
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