Walmart Concept Truck, Hey Mike W. got one of these?

[GCroyle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTTgxqZqTaA&feature=youtu.be

Just passing on something somebody posted on another forum.

" The Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experience, or WAVE, concept truck is the latest in our fleet efficiency program. The one-of-a-kind prototype offers a whole package of firsts. The tractor has very advanced aerodynamics and is powered by a prototype advanced turbine-powered, range-extending series hybrid powertrain. The trailer is made almost exclusively with carbon fiber, saving around 4,000 pounds which can then be used to carry more freight."

OK Mike, what say you?

 

[mweiman]

Not sure what exactly they have going for an engine but it does look a 5 inch stack behind the sleeper. A lot of glass, I bet it would get real toasty when the a/c quits. Notice the lack of mirrors and cameras only on the sides. Not real familiar with carbon fiber but I think that would be expensive to repair if the side of the trailer got tore up and you had to replace the whole side panel. Freightliner has a concept truck that is somewhat similar but I believe is diesel powered. I think Mike had put pictures on here before.
Matt

 

[Wingate]

turbine hybrid

 

[mwilson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTTgxqZqTaA&feature=youtu.be

Just passing on something somebody posted on another forum.

" The Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experience, or WAVE, concept truck is the latest in our fleet efficiency program. The one-of-a-kind prototype offers a whole package of firsts. The tractor has very advanced aerodynamics and is powered by a prototype advanced turbine-powered, range-extending series hybrid powertrain. The trailer is made almost exclusively with carbon fiber, saving around 4,000 pounds which can then be used to carry more freight."

OK Mike, what say you?

Just returned from the grocery store so not in the best frame of mind, got screwed on a couple of items and didn't notice it until I got here. Starting to help the wife with day to day stuff, but I will need to sharpen up to survive.:-laf

Anyhow, a couple of things at first glance.

1) I want to see the 42" x 48" pallet that fits the nose of that trailer. Maybe they will just square off inside and fill the half round nose full of bagged "Great Value Trail Mix"..........

2) I keep getting a visual of the loaded trailer smacking a frost heave at -20 below zero and seeing the side panel shatter like a patio door taking a rock from a weed whacker.......

3) I don't see any provision for a reefer unit, will they hang it under the trailer like they did in the '50s??

4) I see Peterbilt on the steering wheel, this must be payback for the Freightliner concept truck a few months back.

5) It must run on Love because those batteries won't go far at 80,000 lbs. with a headwind and snow in the road. That little turbine is going to shut off from sheer fright.

They have a long way to go with Class 6-8 trucks, it simply requires boatloads of energy to move the thing several hundred miles. And it needs to be understood that tremendous progress has been made already by making the engines more efficient. You can swear at the EPA but that has forced changes, some bad but for the most part good.
When is the last time that you have seen a smoke belching 18 wheeler? At least it catches my attention when I see one because it is not the norm anymore.

Trucks that used to get 3.5 to 4 mpg now get 6 to 7 mpg doing the same run. That is progress.

Mike.

 

[mwilson]

BTW, the guy that figures out how to get the energy wasted by braking (service brakes and jake brakes) back into the power train for use while under power will be a very rich man......

Edit.......or woman....


Mike.

 

[DonFitzwater]

"It must run on Love because those batteries won't go far at 80,000 lbs. with a headwind and snow in the road. That little turbine is going to shut off from sheer fright"

Maybe it runs on liberal tears or puppies and rainbows? LOLOLOL

 

[fest3er]

BTW, the guy that figures out how to get the energy wasted by braking (service brakes and jake brakes) back into the power train for use while under power will be a very rich man......

Edit.......or woman....

Conceptually, it's a problem easily solved. But it'll work only in hilly terrain or in town; long haul will remain diesel-powered. If my current 'new' venture takes off, I should have the funds available to prove my theory by converting my '98. And write the control software myself.

Capstone is the company that builds $2500 30kW gas-powered turbine generators that power neighborhoods. Now that I know they have a mobile model, I can go ahead with my concept exploration.

 

[Wayne M.]

I'm all for concept stuff, but this is more radical than what Volvo or Mercedes would do. I am interested in seeing that Capstone turbine in there. I'd like more info on that....

 

[AEdelheit]

Id be scared to see that trailer unloaded in a crosswind.

 

[Tinman]

Mwilson, I'm gonna respectfully disagree. There has been quiet a bit of improvements in diesel engine efficiency over the years. A lot of that is from the electronic control of the engines which was basically mandated to meet emissions (driven by the epa) However, it is well documented that emissions equipment and design (ie EGR) is detrimental to efficiency and reliability. Competitive market forces and cost would drive more efficiency engines and we would probably still have CR engines without the epa. But without the epa we would see much better mileage with current engines with much better reliability. And let's not forget that there is added cost of modern engines in DEF, engine cost, maintenance, etc that offsets those fuel mileage improvements. I will concede that the epa has forced the technology to "improve" faster than the free market would have done. But I general I do not think the epa has helped any aspect of diesel engine design or operation.

 

[MLee]

Consolidated Freightways had a Turbine powered tractor in the 80's and 90's that was based in Seattle and ran the western states. They were a company that was experimenting with new idea all the time and this was one of them. When they first put the tractor in use the exhaust was so hot it burned out the front of the the trailer. They then had to do some modification to avoid further problems of this nature. They ran it for about ten years. It cost a lot to maintain and run it. But it did not lack for power. It was in a Freightliner cab-over design.

 

[mwilson]

Consolidated Freightways had a Turbine powered tractor in the 80's and 90's that was based in Seattle and ran the western states. They were a company that was experimenting with new idea all the time and this was one of them. When they first put the tractor in use the exhaust was so hot it burned out the front of the the trailer. They then had to do some modification to avoid further problems of this nature. They ran it for about ten years. It cost a lot to maintain and run it. But it did not lack for power. It was in a Freightliner cab-over design.

The "TurboLiner".

Interesting Article, the "TurboLiner" is shown 2nd from the bottom of the page. Some Freightliner history that you may not know about as well.

http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/mat_shelton_frtlnr_brochure.htm

Mike.

 

[mwilson]

Also take note of the driver's side mirror. That was a CF spec for a long time.

 

[BIGNASTY]

"It must run on Love because those batteries won't go far at 80,000 lbs. with a headwind and snow in the road. That little turbine is going to shut off from sheer fright"

Maybe it runs on liberal tears or puppies and rainbows? LOLOLOL

I think as you do FITZ but I must add that batteries have come a very long way. In my off grid power system I use Trojan Flooded Lead Acid 6v but next time I have to buy batteries some of the ones that the auto industry have been playing with in all electric cars are way beyond the old Trojan's. Some experimental type people in ID that have similar Power systems as I use 5 batteries to do the same thing that it takes me 20 to do. Right now cost is the main factor

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I'll say one thing. The day they design a reliable battery powered 1 ton pickup with capabilities to run 500 miles per day pulling a 12k trailer, I'll be the first in line with a down payment. To have full HP and torque at the drop of a hat would be amazing. I'd leave combustion engines behind.

I'm no green weenie and I don't believe in GloBULL warming or any of that crap. I do believe in battery tech, though. Unfortunately, no one has been able to harness that tech in a correct and AFFORDABLE manner yet; if ever.

 

[DonFitzwater]

I've been witness to diesel electric in the marine world and am stupefied, dumbfounded and just plain old confused as to why it's never rolled into automotive?

Am I missing something? Anybody have some insight on that to share?

 

[BIGNASTY]

Isn't that sort a kind a what the Diesel Hybrid is about?

 

[JR]

I've been witness to diesel electric in the marine world and am stupefied, dumbfounded and just plain old confused as to why it's never rolled into automotive?

Am I missing something? Anybody have some insight on that to share?

They can't ween us off the Petro too much, we are making billionaires out of too many people.

 

[MLee]

Also take note of the driver's side mirror. That was a CF spec for a long time.

Thanks Mike, lot of history there. A few other things, CF was the first with over the road freight to Alaska 2-3 times a week and where also owners of White Freightliner. But a NO frills company on the tractor, just basic machinery to get the job done.

 

[MLee]

Over on the RV site, there's talk about a battery powered motorhome. Drive 50 miles, park for 8 hrs and charge battery. (not on this site)