Technological Innovations Help Get Hybrid Lovers on the Road Despite Shortages By Mike Trudel, Freelance Writer At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Hybrid car sales shot up in 2008, unlike their traditional gasoline-engine counterparts. As of March 2008, 38,214 hybrid units were sold in the United States. That's a 10 percent increase from the prior year, and - that figure doesn't include the quantity of one major U.S. automaker's hybrids because the manufacturer doesn't separate these models from the rest of its sales statistics.

These hybrid sales are bright spots for the automotive market, which has seen an overall drop in sales by twelve percent in 2008. It's no wonder - the average price of one barrel of crude oil shot up from $10.87 in 1998 to more than $100.00 in 2008. Many Americans simply don't have the money to spend on that new car or, when they do, they're making more fuel-efficient choices. Consumers are smart. They know what they want in their automobiles.

Availability of many of these hybrid models is not quite up to demand, however. Recent shortages in batteries - both nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and lithium-ion - in newer hybrid models, have caused issues. A major U.S. automaker didn't launch one of its new hybrid models on schedule because of the shortage, and certain manufacturers are simply running out of completed hybrids altogether.

But relief is around the corner for those wishing their gas tank would sip rather than guzzle. Automotive engineers and manufacturers are smart too, and are diligently working on solutions to these shortages and ways to improve hybrid technology. Below are three interesting innovations.

One, creative solutions may lie in technological innovations such as power box hybrid vehicle systems. Top manufacturers for the automotive industry produce self-contained hybrid drive system power boxes, including a traction inverter, DC/DC converter, battery pack, bus distribution center, battery management controller, safety circuit and thermal management subsystems. A drop-in solution for belt alternator starter (BAS), integrated starter generator (ISG) or full hybrid vehicle applications, the system operates over a wide range of voltages and power levels.

These power boxes have complete systems within single housing (easing installation), a simple package design that can fit behind the rear seat, and building-block technology, which increases flexibility, as well as reducing cost and complexity. They are also applicable across multiple platforms and powertrain configurations, as well as compatible with a variety of lithium-ion batteries manufactured globally.

Two, most manufacturers for the auto industry foresee the almost inevitable transition from NiMH batteries to lithium-ion hybrid vehicle battery pack systems. The best of them have reusable building-block technologies, can accommodate a range of voltages, have systems that maintain the health of the battery cells, and are applicable to mild hybrids, full hybrids or electric vehicles. These "packs" are what could make mass integration into the hybrid market of more efficient, more available batteries, possible very quickly.

Three, Integrated starter generator systems, which include smart braking systems, crankshaft-mounted starter generators, traction inverters, DC/DC converters, controllers and battery packs, are also out there. They provide quick, quiet stop/start, regenerative braking, torque smoothing, high power generation, launch-assist to reduce fuel consumption and emissions and battery management to increase battery life. With such a wide range of functions, an integrated starter generator system may become elemental in producing a vehicle with excellent fuel efficiency.

There is of course, more for the savvy. Such systems will also provide efficient on-board power production - two to five kilowatts - that power electronic features traditionally powered by belts and enable customer features. The engine on such models can also start five times faster and much more smoothly than their conventional counterparts.

Through these innovations, in-depth research - and a better supply of batteries - more hybrid lovers will be on the road in no time. Never fear - if you want it, manufacturers will find a way to get it.

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