Hybrid Cars Versus Conventional Cars

car technology

Hybrid Cars Versus Conventional Cars

Unknown Sunday, November 08, 2015 Komentar

Hybrid cars are silent cars which run on both gasoline engines and rechargeable batteries. The technology is still a relatively new thing so you may want to check as many reference as possible when deciding to buy one. Hybrid cars are incredibly silent, however they work just like fuel powered cars do. When the cars are stuck in traffic, their engine will shut down and they will run on batteries. The transition between fuel and battery is smooth, making the cars comfortable to drive. In other words, conventional cars use an internal combustion engine and functions on diesel or gasoline, whereas hybrid cars use both the standard engine and a battery powered electric motor.

Unlike conventional all-electric cars, hybrid cars use regenerative charging thus they do not need plug-ins because they automatically recharge themselves while they are in drive. When you apply the brakes, the engine will transfer a portion of its power back into the car battery—the braking system of the cars, just like their battery, is regenerative which gives the brake pads a longer lifespan. That way, a charging station to plug-in your car is not required. Just drive, and the car will be automatically recharged.

One disadvantage of hybrid cars is that their powertrain is far more complex than that of conventional cars. This means that if the car breaks down it will cost more to repair and parts may be more expensive.  As hybrids technology become more common in the future, this is something that you can expect to change. And while it is true that hybrid cars have expensive parts, they also have warranties that provide free replacement of the most expensive parts for many years. You may need to check it with the dealer or manufacturer.

Hybrid cars use batteries that present low fuel emission rates. As you may have known, this is favorable in the world currently threatened by global warming. It reduces smog release by up to 90% and less greenhouse gases than conventional cars. To make it clear, hybrid technology is when electricity is created by fuel cells that utilize hydrogen and oxygen. The resulting exhaust is clean water.

Speaking of endurance, according to The U.S. Department of Energy, hybrid cars can run as much as a 70 mile drive on just one gallon worth of gasoline. This is certainly more cost-efficient than that of conventional cars. They also come with a battery pack of 38 modules so it is not necessary to spend a lot of money replacing a whole battery. Hybrid car owners can replace a single unit that is not working.

However, some consumers do worry that hybrid cars may not last as long as conventional cars, but consider the saving of 15–20% on fuel costs compared to conventional cars. With a lot of driving especially on city traffics, that saving will add up quickly. Hybrid cars have been sold in Japan since 1997, although they are rarely, if not, available in U.S. market for a very long time. For your information, it still has popularity and great resale value years later. 

Now that you know some of the important facts about hybrid cars and their technology compared to common cars—hybrid cars versus conventional cars—you may want to consider buying one when they become available in the market.

It's important that your inside character is bigger than your outside persona. A sports car with a lawnmower engine won't work. ~ Anonymous

Via hybrid-car, hybridfriends; Photo: quinet / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA; jurvetson / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA

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Why Cell Phone Use Is Banned at Gas Stations

gadget safety technology

Why Cell Phone Use Is Banned at Gas Stations

Unknown Wednesday, October 21, 2015 Komentar

Is it a fact that using a cell phone while filling up a vehicle at a gas station could trigger a fire or even an explosion? The flood of warnings about the great risks of using cell phones in the presence of gasoline fumes at gas stations began to spread on the Internet back in 1999, when an a car driver in Indonesia turned into a human fireball as the result of an explosion at a gas station. But why cell phone use is widely banned at gas stations today?

A lot of studies had been conducted and experts at the Center for the Study of Wireless Electromagnetic Compatibility at the University of Oklahoma said there was virtually no evidence that suggested that cell phones posed a hazard at gas stations. While it might be “theoretically possible for a spark from a cell phone battery to ignite gas vapor,” The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) concluded the potential threat was remote.

However, gas stations around the world had put many stickers cautioning drivers to turn off their cell phones when filling up their vehicles. Today, all major oil companies have also take a preventive measure and ban the use of cell phones at gas stations.

Now, what is the likely cause of fires at the gas stations? According to the Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI), static electricity discharge is a major culprit. 

Is Static Electricity the Culprit?

Many experts believe that it is the static electricity, and not the cell phones, that cause the fire. Static fires at the gas stations are rare events, but yes they do happen. The Petroleum Equipment Institute reported on its website that it had received counted hundreds of reports to date of gas stations fires attributed to static electricity.

Steve Fowler, an electrical engineer from Fowler Associates, said cell phone signals were far too weak to ignite even explosive gasoline fumes. He and Jim Farr, a fire marshal from Gaston County, N.C., studied static fire and said that our body could build up a static charge in many different ways, for example when we were getting in and out of our vehicle. "When you rub the carpet with your feet, you could get up to 35,000 volts," Fowler said. "In a car situation we have seen as high as 60,000 volts."

That voltage is enough to catch gas fumes on fire, Fowler said. As for a cell phone or cell phone battery sparking a fire, both Fowler and Farr said it was theoretically possible but not probable.

Although cell phones may not actually be the cause of a fire at the gas stations, experts all agree consumers should take the appropriate precautions. Follow these tips and those posted by the gas stations to avoid static fires and reduce unnecessary risks:

• Do not get back in your car until you are finished filling up your vehicle. 
• When you get out of the car, get rid of any static charge before you reach for the pump. That could be as simple as tapping the metal top of your car with your bare hand. 
• Experts say if a fire does start, never take the gas nozzle out of your car. That is the surest way to turn a bad situation into a tragedy. Everyone who has been hurt, injured, or has been killed, has pulled that nozzle out. 
• Never fill portable containers in or on a vehicle. Instead, put them on the ground. Like a person, a container can also become statically charged. If the earth's not there to absorb the voltage, the can itself may spark. 
• Turn off the engine. 

Now, think twice before answering or making calls with your cell phone at the pump. Despite the fact that cell phone use is now banned at gas stations, you can always call back later. Safety is everybody's business.

***

Via verizonwireless, abcnews,
Photo: Freeimages.com/Henrik Linder

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Why Japanese Trains Are Never Late

safety technology transportation values

Why Japanese Trains Are Never Late

Unknown Tuesday, October 20, 2015 Komentar

The Shinkansen is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan. The nickname “bullet train” is sometimes used in English for these high-speed trains. It is one of Japan’s most prominent advancements in technology. But why are Japanese trains "never" late? What are their secrets?

Although its speed becomes one of the main reasons why the Shinkansen is amazing, its punctuality on arrival and departure, its comfort and safety of the trips are fantastic. The punctuality can be seen from the fact that the trains are almost never late. The yearly average delay time per train is 30 seconds. To keep the comfort for passengers, the trains are well maintained so that they can run smoothly, and also the cars are kept very clean. As for the safety, the fact says that in its 50 years of operation, there has never been accident-related death.

Again, what are the secrets? 

Secret #1: The railroad engineer is very highly skilled 

In one year, 120,000 trains will run on the Tokaido Shinkansen tracks. On peak days, more than 400 trains run everyday, which means 1 train will be available for every 3 minutes. As the railway platforms are limited in number, it is imperative that the Shinkansen arrives and departs on time so that they can carry as many passengers as possible. The Shinkansen punctuality is indeed in the hand of the railroad engineer. Below are what the engineer does in operating the trains: 

a. The calculation of speed is highly-accurate

The railroad engineer is constantly calculating the speed the train needs to run at in order to get to the next station precisely as scheduled. When the train pulls in and out of station, the railroad engineer announces how late or fast the train was in seconds, and confirms the exact time using a pocket watch. The railroad engineer also calculates how long it will take to the next station even if the train will not stop. If the train is going faster or slower than expected when it arrives on a station, the railroad engineer will set the new speed required. This way, the time gap between the arrival times at every station will always be corrected.

b. Unexpected incidents are simulated

When the Shinkansen runs, any breakdowns might happen but they should not change the schedule. Thus, the railroad engineer has to deal with the breakdown while driving. To anticipate breakdowns, the railroad engineer practices regularly with a simulator. The simulator creates scenarios where various breakdowns occur. 

Secret #2: The cleaning staff are exceptional 

When the Shinkansen reaches the last station on its route, there are ten minutes excluding the passengers getting off and on, before it turns around and departs for the next destination. The cleaning staff should put the 10 minutes into good use and prepare the cabin of the train cars for the next passengers. 

Secret #3. The safety check system is reliable

So far, there has never been any accident-related death. The safety of the Shinkansen is supported by a series of routine detailed checks.

a. Four-tier frame inspection

There is a 4-tier inspection system conducted for the Shinkansen. Once every two days, an inspector check any defects both by visual and by touch. Once a month, the Shinkansen undergoes a complete inspection. The power is turned on to check if the train is running as it should be. The door system is among those given the highest priority. If a door fails to open or to shut, it will slow the passengers in getting on and off the train, resulting in delay on the schedule. One train (with 16 cars each) is inspected more than 500 times for every 3 years. 

b. Tracks inspection 

To check the tracks, they have Dr. Yellow, a special train running on the track being inspected at the speed of 270 km/hr. Among those inspected are tracks condition, aerial wirings, and railroad signaling. 

c. Ballasts replacement

As the Shinkansen runs very fast, the ballasts should be replaced every day to maintain the safety. The ballasts replacement machine was invented in Japan and is the first of its kind in the world.

No wonder Japanese trains are "never" late.

***

via tsunagujapan, wikipedia
Photo: Freeimages.com/Mdmartian

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