AFS Trinity

Last updated
AFS Trinity Power Corp, Inc.
Company type Private
Industry Automotive
Founded1991
Headquarters Medina, Washington, USA
Key people
Edward Furia (Chairman, C.E.O.)

Joel Levinthal (President, C.O.O.)
Laurie Westdahl (Corporate Secretary & Director)
Peter N. Rogers (C.F.O. & Director)
Timothy C. Kent (Director & Advisor on Public Communications)
Donald Bender (C.T.O.)
Dr. Edward S. Zorzi (Vice President Aerospace Operations)
Philip K. Snyder (Chief Systems Engineer)
Atul Deshmane (Automotive Systems Engineer)

John V. Coyner (Director of Composite Rotor Programs)

Contents

ProductsExtreme Hybrid Drive Train
Website afstrinity.com

AFS Trinity Power Corporation is an American corporation headquartered in Medina, WA with an engineering center in Livermore, CA that develops technology for plug-in hybrids. [1] The company has developed PHEV technology that actively combines batteries with ultracapacitors. [2] The company asserts that the combination of high-power ultracapacitors, which prefer to discharge and recharge quickly, and high-energy lithium-ion batteries, which prefer to discharge and recharge slowly, makes for a system with both long-life and high energy-density storage. [3]

Prototype

AFS Trinity's plug-in hybrid prototype at Altamont Pass near their Engineering Center in Livermore, CA. Xh150-side.jpg
AFS Trinity's plug-in hybrid prototype at Altamont Pass near their Engineering Center in Livermore, CA.

AFS Trinity claims that this "Extreme Hybrid" technology makes it possible for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to achieve the equivalent of 150 miles per US gallon (1.6 L/100 km; 180 mpgimp), travel 40 miles (64 km) per charge in all-electric mode and use gasoline for additional range (limited by gasoline tank size) in hybrid mode. [3] The company also reports that its prototype "XH-150S" modified Saturn Vue SUVs demonstrated 11.6 second 0-60 performance in electric-only mode and 6.9 second 0-60 performance in full hybrid mode, which would be comparable to a Porsche Cayenne. [4]

History

AFS Trinity was formed on December 5, 2000, through the combination of two predecessor companies, American Flywheel Systems, Inc. (AFS), incorporated in 1991, and Trinity Flywheel Power (Trinity) which was incorporated in 1993. [5] Since 1991, AFS Trinity has conducted programs with private and government organizations including DARPA, NASA, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. DOT, California Energy Commission, Oak Ridge National Laboratories, Lawrence Livermore National Labs, Honeywell, Lockheed, and Ricardo plc. [6]

On January 24, 2006, AFS Trinity and Ricardo signed a Technology Partnership Agreement for Ricardo to help integrate AFS Trinity's Extreme Hybrid drive train technology into passenger cars and SUVs. [7] On January 27, 2008, the company unveiled two modified Saturn Vue SUVs (called XH-150 SUV) at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. [8]

On January 26, 2010, AFS Trinity demonstrated its prototypes for Delaware officials including Governor Jack Markell, suggesting that Delaware's idled factories and workforce could potentially mass-produce the vehicle. [9]

Technology

3D Cutaway of "Extreme Hybrid" Drive Train Technology as implemented in the XH-150 Plug-in Hybrid Prototype. Xh150-cutaway.jpg
3D Cutaway of "Extreme Hybrid" Drive Train Technology as implemented in the XH-150 Plug-in Hybrid Prototype.

The powertrain using two forms of energy storage is disclosed in US patent application 11/519,350. [10]

The application describes a family of architectures where a battery is used in conjunction with a second energy storage device which may be an ultracapacitor, a flywheel, or a second battery. The purpose of the second energy storage device is to protect the battery from high current during high power operation.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hybrid vehicle</span> Vehicle using two or more power sources

A hybrid vehicle is one that uses two or more distinct types of power, such as submarines that use diesel when surfaced and batteries when submerged. Other means to store energy include pressurized fluid in hydraulic hybrids.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plug-in hybrid</span> Hybrid vehicle whose battery may be externally charged

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or simply plug-in hybrid is a type of hybrid electric vehicle equipped with a rechargeable battery pack that can be directly replenished via a charging cable plugged into an external electric power source, in addition to charging internally by its on-board internal combustion engine-powered generator. While PHEVs are predominantly passenger cars, there are also plug-in hybrid variants of sports cars, commercial vehicles, vans, utility trucks, buses, trains, motorcycles, mopeds, military vehicles and boats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies</span>

The FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies (FCVT) was a national Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy program developing more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly highway transportation technologies to enable the United States to use less petroleum. Run by Michael Berube, it had long-term aims to develop "leap-frog" technologies to provide Americans with greater freedom of mobility and energy security, lower costs, and reduce environmental impacts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hybrid electric bus</span> Bus that combines internal combustion and electric propulsion systems

A hybrid electric bus is a bus that combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. These type of buses normally use a Diesel–electric powertrain and are also known as hybrid Diesel–electric buses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opel Antara</span> German compact crossover SUV

The Opel Antara is a compact crossover SUV which was marketed by Opel from 2006 to 2015. Based on the Theta platform, the Antara closely shared its underpinnings and powertrains with the Chevrolet Captiva. However, it only offered five seats instead of seven, and features a different exterior and interior design. Sales commenced in November 2006, as the indirect successor to the Isuzu-based Frontera range.

Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) was an American photovoltaics manufacturer of thin-film solar cells made of amorphous silicon used in flexible laminates and in building-integrated photovoltaics. The company was also a manufacturer of rechargeable batteries and other renewable energy related products. ECD was headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan.

Mild hybrids (MHEV) are generally cars with an internal combustion engine (ICE) equipped with a minimally extended battery and an auxiliary electric combined motor and generator in a parallel hybrid configuration that is not enough for an electric-only mode of propulsion but does allow the engine to be stopped whenever the car is coasting, braking, or stopped, and then restarted once power is required again. Mild hybrids may employ regenerative braking and some level of power assist to the internal combustion engine.

Hybrid vehicle drivetrains transmit power to the driving wheels for hybrid vehicles. A hybrid vehicle has multiple forms of motive power.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alternative fuel vehicle</span> Vehicle not powered by petrol or diesel

An alternative fuel vehicle is a motor vehicle that runs on alternative fuel rather than traditional petroleum fuels. The term also refers to any technology powering an engine that does not solely involve petroleum. Because of a combination of factors, such as environmental and health concerns including climate change and air pollution, high oil-prices and the potential for peak oil, development of cleaner alternative fuels and advanced power systems for vehicles has become a high priority for many governments and vehicle manufacturers around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Motors XP-883</span>

In the late 1960s, General Motors Company directed its GM R&D and Pontiac divisions to develop concept mini-cars for urban drivers. GM developed the XP-883 an experimental plug-in hybrid car demonstrated by General Motors in 1969. Primarily intended as a commuter vehicle, the very small car had a fiberglass body with a design resembling the future Chevrolet Chevette. The two-door hatchback had seating for two adults and two children, though the children sat in rear-facing seats and would enter and exit through the tailgate. It was powered by the combination of a two-cylinder engine and a DC electric motor plus batteries. Electricity was stored in six 12-volt batteries placed between the rear wheels. The related Pontiac concept was the Pontiac X-4 with a radical two stroke aircraft type radial engine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew A. Frank</span> American academic

Andrew Alfonso Frank is an emeritus American professor of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering at University of California, Davis. He is recognized as the father of modern plug-in hybrids, and coined the term Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CalCars</span> US non-profit organization

CalCars was a charitable, non-profit organization founded in 2002 to promote plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) as a key to addressing oil dependence and global warming both nationally and internationally. It was active until 2010, when the first mass-produced PHEVs arrived. CalCars envisioned millions of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, charged by off-peak electricity from renewable energy sources, and with their internal combustion engines powered by low-carbon alternative fuels, as a way to significantly reduce greenhouse gases that come from transportation.

All-electric range (AER) is the maximum driving range of an electric vehicle using only power from its on-board battery pack to traverse a given driving cycle. In the case of a Battery electric vehicle (BEV), it means the maximum range per recharge, typically between 150 and 400 miles. For a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), it means the maximum range in charge-depleting mode, typically between 20 and 40 miles. PHEVs can travel considerably further in charge-sustaining mode which utilizes both fuel combustion and the on-board battery pack like a conventional hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of plug-in hybrids</span>

The history of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) spans a little more than a century, but most of the significant commercial developments have taken place after 2002. The revival of interest in this automotive technology together with all-electric cars is due to advances in battery and power management technologies, and concerns about increasingly volatile oil prices and supply disruption, and also the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Between 2003 and 2010 most PHEVs on the roads were conversions of production hybrid electric vehicles, and the most prominent PHEVs were aftermarket conversions of 2004 or later Toyota Prius, which have had plug-in charging and more lead–acid batteries added and their electric-only range extended.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valence Technology</span> Company manufacturer of lithium ion battery modules and packs

Valence Technology, Inc. was a company that developed and manufactured lithium iron phosphate cathode material as well as lithium ion battery modules and packs. The modules come in 12 V, 18 V, 24 V, and 36 V configurations. Valence's products are used in electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) such as cars, scooters, motorbikes, and commercial vehicles such as buses, delivery vans and trucks. Valence batteries are also used in wheelchairs, medical carts, robotics, marine, rail, as well as stationary applications such as remote power, uninterruptible power supply (UPS), energy storage systems, frequency regulation and switching gear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric vehicle battery</span> Battery used to power the electric motors of a battery electric vehicle or hybrid electric vehicle

An electric vehicle battery is a rechargeable battery used to power the electric motors of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plug-in electric vehicle</span> Type of vehicle

A plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) is any road vehicle that can utilize an external source of electricity to store electrical energy within its onboard rechargeable battery packs, to power an electric motor and help propelling the wheels. PEV is a subset of electric vehicles, and includes all-electric/battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Sales of the first series production plug-in electric vehicles began in December 2008 with the introduction of the plug-in hybrid BYD F3DM, and then with the all-electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV in July 2009, but global retail sales only gained traction after the introduction of the mass production all-electric Nissan Leaf and the plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt in December 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capacitor electric vehicle</span> Type of transportation vehicle

A capacitor electric vehicle is a vehicle that uses supercapacitors to store electricity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edward Furia</span>

Edward W. Furia was Project Director of the Earth Week Committee of Philadelphia during the first Earth Day in 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Range extender</span> Fuel-based auxiliary power unit that extends the range of a battery electric vehicle

A range extender is a fuel-based auxiliary power unit (APU) that extends the range of a battery electric vehicle by driving an electric generator that charges the vehicle's battery. This arrangement is known as a series hybrid drivetrain. The most commonly used range extenders are internal combustion engines, but fuel-cells or other engine types can be used.

References

  1. Wald, Matthew L. (2008-11-18). "Company With Hybrid Battery Solution to Seek Billions From Energy Department". Green Blog. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  2. "Extreme Hybrid Showcases Green Technology - CBS Evening News". CBS News. 2008-01-12. Archived from the original on 17 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  3. 1 2 "EV WORLD: AFS Trinity Perfects Plug-in Hybrid Saturn Vue". Archived from the original on 2010-01-06. Retrieved 2010-03-22. EV World, AFS Trinity Perfects Plug-in Hybrid Saturn Vue, January 13, 2008
  4. "A Hybrid Technology That Can Pay for Itself". Businessweek.com. 2008-01-15. Archived from the original on 2011-09-13. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  5. http://newpowerprospects.com/company_AFS_Trinity.aspx%5B%5D
  6. "AFS Trinity Power | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Cars (PHEV) and Extreme Hybrid Drivetrain Technology. A revolution in Fast Energy Storage featuring the XH-150 Prototype SUV". Afstrinity.com. 2010-07-26. Archived from the original on 19 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  7. "AFS Trinity and Ricardo to Develop Plug-In Extreme Hybrid[tm] Car". Www.Evworld.Com. Archived from the original on 2011-11-23. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  8. "AFS Trinity Power | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Cars (PHEV) and Extreme Hybrid Drivetrain Technology". Afstrinity.com. 2008-01-13. Archived from the original on 19 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  9. "AFS Trinity shows off its hybrid electric vehicle to Delaware officials | Philly | 01/27/2010". Philly. 2010-01-27. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  10. "Method and Apparatus for Power Electronics and Control of Plug-In Hybrid Propulsion with Fast Energy Storage". 2006-09-12. Retrieved 2010-11-27.