Confidence
0.60
Practicability
0.50
Evidence
0.20
Fringe Score
0.20
Risk
0.20
TRL
3
Goal
Convert fuel heat into hydraulic fluid motion for automotive power with high efficiency and high mpg
Problem
Low efficiency of conventional automotive power plants
Concept Summary
A thermohydraulic motor that uses heat from any fuel to heat hydraulic fluid, driving a hydraulic pump/motor system for vehicle propulsion, claimed to achieve high efficiency and high miles per gallon.
Principles
- Thermodynamics
- Hydraulic power conversion
Scientific Domains
Mechanisms of Action
- Heat transfer to hydraulic fluid
- Expansion of heated fluid to drive hydraulic motor
Energy Sources
Applications
- Automotive propulsion
- Hybrid powertrain
Claimed Performance
High efficiency, high mpg
Limitations
- Lack of experimental data
- Unclear efficiency metrics
Red Flags
- No peer-reviewed validation
- Claims not substantiated with data
