Energy-saving hybrid vehicle using a pneumatic-power system

The power system enables the internal-combustion engine to function at its optimal operating point without a complicated controller. The waste heat from the internal-combustion engine can be recycled and stored, then converted into mechanical energy, thereby raising the overall thermal efficiency of this system. A computer-aided simulation program is used to simulate the overall dynamic features of this hybrid pneumatic-power system, so as to demonstrate its desirable features.The overall efficiency of this system is expected to increase by about 20%. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.