EVrelated(Delphi switched reluctance Electric brake-by-wire)

[Bruce EVangel Parmenter <brucedp@yahoo.com>]

EVrelated(Delphi switched reluctance Electric brake-by-wire)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
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 --- {EVangel}
Delphi Teams With State of Indiana To Advance Electric
Brake-By-Wire Development
TROY, Mich., March 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Delphi Automotive
Systems  announced today it is part of a team
headed by the state of Indiana that has been selected by the
U.S. Department of Energy to participate in a cooperative
agreement to research, develop and demonstrate switched
reluctance machine (SRM) technology.  The technology will be
applied to electric brake-by-wire systems for hybrid
electric, fuel cell and battery electric powered advanced
high efficiency vehicles.
[...]
These high efficiency vehicles require accessory systems,
such as brakes, to be redesigned to function independent of
engine operation.  The focus of this project is to design
and build a brake-by-wire electromechanical actuator that
outperforms today's systems and is independent of vacuum
produced by the engine.  The actuator is based on a SRM with
an integrated power converter and machine controller.  Once
developed, this system will ultimately replace the
vacuum-assisted hydraulic actuator found in today's
vehicles, enabling the required engine-independence.

"Delphi is pleased to be selected to participate in this
important agreement to develop advanced transportation
technologies," said Jean Botti, chief technologist,
Innovation Center, Delphi Dynamics & Propulsion Sector.
"While SRMs have been available in a number of applications
for several years, the integration of switched reluctance
machine technology and electronics, in a package that is
compact, robust and affordable, will offer a significant
advancement toward a brake-by-wire system that can be
manufactured and marketed."

The award, in excess of $850,000, supports the Bush
Administration's National Energy Plan and the recently
announced FreedomCAR program to develop the technical
ability to meet U.S. energy challenges.  The cost-share
program includes a contribution from the state of Indiana;
program administration support from Electricore, which is an
advanced technology consortium; brake- by-wire, motor design
and control expertise from Delphi Energy & Chassis Systems;
and simulation, analysis and algorithm development expertise
from Purdue University.

In addition to enabling the braking system to function with
power assist without the engine running, brake-by-wire
offers many improvements when compared to conventional
braking systems.  Brake-by-wire can provide improved brake
force control and integrates with other chassis systems,
such as steering and suspension, resulting in a higher level
of vehicle stability and performance.  Improvement can also
be achieved in fuel efficiency by reducing braking system
weight and eliminating brake drag, which also increases
brake pad life.

"SRMs offer technical advantages over other machine
technologies when applied to the brake-by-wire application,
including a much smaller package and reduced mass at the
wheel, compared to a brush-type motor," said R. Scott
Bailey, director of engineering, Delphi Energy & Chassis
Systems.  "These attributes have a significant impact on the
performance of the vehicle's braking systems and suspension,
as well as improving energy efficiency."

For more information about Delphi Automotive Systems, visit
Delphi's Virtual Press Room at www.delphiauto.com/vpr .

SOURCE  Delphi Automotive Systems CO:  Delphi Automotive
Systems; Delphi Energy & Chassis Systems;      U.S.
Department of Energy; State of Indiana ST:  Indiana,
Michigan IN:  AUT OIL ENV SU: 03/13/2002 10:50 EST
 ...
 http://www.prnewswire.com/  nina_drucker@prnewswire.com
(c)PR Newswire. All rights reserved.  Fax# 415-543-3555,
Tel# 415-543-7800, 71 Stevenson, Suite 1120, SF, CA 94105 USA
 ---



posted
Norsk Hydro Technology Ventures Invests in Wave Energy
OSLO, Norway--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 19, 2002--Norsk Hydro
Technology Ventures will invest venture capital into a new
wave power generation concept developed by Scottish start-up
company Ocean Power Delivery.

"Norsk Hydro Technology Ventures (NTV) - Hydro's venture
capital vehicle within energy - screened several wave energy
devices around the world before finding Pelamis, a computer
controlled "snake", being developed by Ocean Power Delivery
(OPD), a small start up company in Scotland," says Richard
Erskine, Investment Director in NTV.

NTV has acted as lead investor for a group that includes SAM
Private Equity in Zurich and 3i, one of Europe's leading
venture capital groups. Together they are committing
(pound)6 million (EUR 9.8 million) in equal shares to OPD
with the aim of getting a working prototype in the water,
producing electricity to the grid within two years.

Previous attempts to economically harvest energy from waves
- which the World Energy Council reckons can eventually
supply 15 percent of current world energy demand - have been
crippled by cumbersome designs. Devices have been designed
with enough steel to withstand storms, but will only extract
energy from normal-size waves most of the time.

The EU commitment to sourcing 12.5 percent of its energy
needs from renewable sources by 2010 has become a
significant force for developing new technologies. Wind
power has been at the forefront - with installed European
capacity forecast to grow from 18,000 MW in 2000 to 58,000
MW by 2005. There are clear signs offshore wave energy will
emulate these growth rates if devices can withstand harsh
ocean conditions. Successful development of Pelamis and
competitors can pave the way for a large global marked for
wave energy converters.

Pelamis is a semi-submerged structure composed of
cylindrical sections linked by hinged joints containing
hydraulic rams. Each device will be about 150 metres long,
3.5meters in diameter, and generate about 750 kilowatts of
electricity. Several devices can be connected together and
linked to shore through a single seabed cable, with a 30 MW
wave farm occupying a 1km2 of sea. Pelamis's hydrodynamic
design, its ability to change characteristics, and the
incorporation of the latest offshore oil industry technology
will enable it to survive storms and keep construction costs
down.

"NTV's role is both to seek exciting investments with
venture capital financial returns, and also to act as eyes
and ears for Hydro's Oil and Energy business area, in a
rapidly evolving new energy economy. We are particularly
pleased to have the opportunity to invest with 3i and SAM on
this deal", says Jorgen C. Arentz Rostrup, NTV's Managing
Director. "We have completed five investments to date and
are currently evaluating several deals within the
distributed power and renewables areas," he adds.

To complement the average annual production of 9 TWh of
hydro-electric power, Hydro increasingly also prioritises
other renewable energy. Expansion of the Tyin power plant in
western Norway will provide 200 GWh and the Havoygavlen wind
power park in northern Norway will produce 120 GWh. Hydro's
Energy sector actively reviews additional wind power
initiatives. Hydro is also prioritising initiatives within
Hydrogen, preparing the way for a entirely emission-free
energy carrier.

CONTACT: Norsk Hydro ASA Exploration & Production
International (+47) 22 53 81 00 Fax: (+47) 22 53 88 61
www.hydro.com or Jorgen Rostrup, (+47) 22 53 70 58 Cellular:
(+47) 95 10 95 81 jorgen.rostrup@hydro.com Kama Holte
Strand, (+47) 22 53 81 15 Cellular: (+47) 91 72 88 38
kama.holte.strand@hydro.com KEYWORD: NORWAY INTERNATIONAL
EUROPE BW2228  MAR 19,2002 5:46 PACIFIC 8:46  EASTERN
 ...
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 ---





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