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Dean Kamen Combines Stirling Engine With Electric Car

Posted by timothy on from the is-there-anything-kamen-can't-do? dept.

Colin Smith writes "Dean Kamen, (inventor of the Segway) has combined a Stirling engine with a battery-powered electric vehicle based on the Ford Think to provide a fully decoupled electric hybrid car which can run on any fuel which can provide enough heat to run the Stirling generator. Think are also producing a purely battery 'Think City' car which is capable of 62mph and with a range of 126miles." Some stats on the Ford Think: Top speed, 55mph; 0-30, 6.5 seconds; Range, 60 miles on battery.

9 of 324 comments (clear)

  1. Think CITY?? by caffeinemessiah · · Score: 3, Funny

    0-30, 6.5 second

    This should have been called a "Think Village", because I doubt any large enough city will have traffic that is forgiving enough to allow a small electric car to reach 30 (either kph or mph) in 6.5 seconds. Seriously, just start counting off 6.5 seconds right now.

    --
    An old-timer with old-timey ideas.
    1. Re:Think CITY?? by JoeMerchant · · Score: 1, Funny

      I have a wife and two small children, which one do I tow behind the Aptera in a trailer?

  2. Diagram by russoc4 · · Score: 5, Funny

    For those of you who do not know what a Stirling engine looks like, Wikipedia has a very detailed diagram.

    1. Re:Diagram by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      I can't find the vas deferens, is there another diagram?

    2. Re:Diagram by ScrewMaster · · Score: 4, Funny

      I can't find the vas deferens, is there another diagram?

      Well, there is a vas deferens between a Stirling Cycle engine and a conventional internal combustion engine.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  3. Wood burning car? by kramer · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm looking forward to being able to toss a couple armfuls of firewood in the trunk of my car and running errands.

  4. Re:Too Slow by Miseph · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just by looking around on the road you can tell people are chomping at the bit to drive a tiny tin can looking car, especially if that car is also slow as hell. In fact, the less likely (real or perceived) someone with boobs *and shaved armpits* will give it a second look, the better.

    Fixed that for you.

    --
    Try not to take me more seriously than I take myself.
  5. Stirling Engine by cwsulliv · · Score: 3, Funny

    The Stirling engine is pretty neat. It'll run on hot air.

    If we install a bunch of them in Washington DC, the energy problem of the US will be solved for good.

  6. Re:stirling engine is a no-go by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    And if you run it in reverse you have a great heat pump, often used in cryocooling etc.

    So instead of backing into a parking space you freeze solid in the middle of the road??? No thanks!!!