Lessons of Sunraycer

Journal Article · Tue Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1989 · Scientific American; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/scientificamerican0389-90· OSTI ID:6788607

Wilson, H G; MacCready, P B; Kyle, C R

Powered entirely by sunlight, the 400-pound automobile averaged 41 miles per hour to win the 1867-mile race across Australia on the solar equivalent of five gallons of gas. The paper describes the integrated design and novel technology that could find application in practical electric cars. Innovations include the lightweight Magnequench brushless motor; braking by operating the motor as a generator and recycling about half the energy through the battery instead of dissipating it as heat in brake discs; and reduction of drag through streamlining its design. The paper describes engineering efforts to apply this technology to electric battery powered vans.

• OSTI ID: 6788607
• Journal Information: Scientific American; (USA), Journal Name: Scientific American; (USA) Vol. 260:3; ISSN SCAMA; ISSN 0036-8733
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140600 -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330800* -- Emission Control-- Alternative Fuels
AERODYNAMICS
AUSTRALASIA
AUSTRALIA
BRAKES
COMPETITION
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DRAG
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
ELECTRIC MOTORS
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
FLUID MECHANICS
GALLIUM ARSENIDE SOLAR CELLS
MACHINE PARTS
MECHANICAL TRANSMISSIONS
MECHANICS
MOTORS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PLANNING
POWER SYSTEMS
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR-ASSISTED POWER SYSTEMS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
VEHICLES
WEIGHT