Anyone an engineer?

http://www.theaircar.com/

I have been following these cars for some time. There are 2 main kinds (including other makes) Compressed air only engines - the best of which uses an articulated crank

and compressed air assisted petrol engines (tricky with diesels as the compressed air is very cool)

The problem is that compressing air generates a lot of heat so making it rather inefficient. Also it is very hard to use all the potential energy stored because as the air decompresses it generates less thrust. The only thing that makes it ok is the high price of oil. The compressed air only engines are waaay too slow for common use, though it workds ok as a hybrid with petrol.

I'd love to see the compressed air coming from cheap Vertical axis wind turbines ..... VAWT is more silent, storm proof, and durable then the horizontal axis variety, as well as ustilising buffetting winds better and not killing birds. Just leave it up producing compressed air 24/7 and its low efficiency won't be a problem. Use the heat generated for your home and water. And there are quite a few very nice designs, which are only a couple of meters high - many regular houses could use them. As the air replaces your petrol it saves a lot more money than regular massive HAWTs which produce power for the grid ad 7-8 cents/kwh where coal does it for 4-5 cents.

Thanks for the info imput Pandit. I noticed from poking around their website that they are seeking investors. It led me to believe the car is still out there a ways.

You dont want an air car, you want a segway I see that sunbelt are currently advertising a unique travel business for sale in Bangkok.

This is taken from my weekly newsletter from sunbelt

This unique Bangkok based Sightseeing Tour Operator has become available after two years of trade due to the owners planned return to his overseas home. The company is based in the heart of the tourist belt, in lower Sukhumvit, and uses a distinctive mode of transport to introduce its patrons to the sights and sounds of the city. Over 3,000,000 baht was spent to set up the company and the last financial year saw net profits of 960,000 baht being earned, from receipts of 1,400,000 baht. Operating from headquarters measuring 100 square metres, the business has low overheads to meet; monthly rent is only 10,000 baht and the payroll totals 20,000 baht per month for two full time employees. The investor will acquire nine of the unique imported transportation machines; the seller runs most of these on the tour groups but also keeps two units aside for resale purposes (his inventory is therefore valued at 500,000 baht). This is an easy to run and pleasurable operation that would suit an investor who was looking to get out and about and away from the office. Long hours are not necessary as only two tours are undertaken each day, starting in the early morning and early evening, thereby avoiding the oppressive nature of Bangkok's midday and early afternoon. This business is a great way to meet lots of celebrities. One of Thailand's Princesses has even used this service. Bookings are still on the up, and in the last two weeks receipts of 90,000 baht have been taken. (BKK11804)

Total Investment To Own: 4.5 million baht

Thanks I was just looking for it.

Thanks I was just looking for it.

No problems, i am pretty certain that they are talking about segways

Interesting website Aughie but <deleted> if anything has it got to do with politics.........BM or TM care to enlighten us?

I love the articulated conrod in this engine. The idea is to have the piston dwell at the top of its cycle to allow the air generate full pressure. This would be a very good way to burn regular gas as the gas can burn fully before being turned into thrust.

Kind of like the Bourke engine - scroll down the link for a flash diagram

http://www.niquette.com/books/sophmag/bourke.htm

http://bourke-engine-project.com/index2.html