CALSTART launches eight new advanced transportation projects; programs continue; defense department's on-going support keeps momentum, technology moving forward.BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 3, 1996--Eight critical advanced transportation technologies with direct benefits for the national economy, national security and environmental health have received the go-ahead to proceed. The programs, totaling $5.3 million, continue a successful, cost-shared partnership between CALSTART and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), U.S. government agency administered by the Department of Defense (see Defense, United States Department of). (DARPA DARPA: see Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) The name given to the U.S. Advanced Research Projects Agency during the 1980s. It was later renamed back to ARPA. ) of the U.S. Department of Defense, to push forward electric and hybrid electric vehicle A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a vehicle which combines a conventional propulsion system with an on-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) to achieve better fuel economy than a conventional vehicle without being hampered by range from a charging unit like an technologies. The projects will provide advances in the following areas: greater efficiencies in energy generation and drive systems for EVs and HEVs; research and design efforts for more efficient EV and HEV HEV abbr. hepatitis E virus HEV hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus of pigs. accessories; and electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) design. "These programs reflect CALSTART's mission to encourage advances in critical advanced transportation technologies," said Michael J. Gage, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of CALSTART, California's advanced transportation consortium. "These programs will help diversify and strengthen California's -- and the nation's -- crucial defense industry, while also supporting innovative technology and economic growth for the state and the nation." In one of the nation's most unique projects, Trinity Flywheel Batteries Inc. of San Francisco, together with Northrop Grumman will work to develop and demonstrate an integrated rapid charger for electric vehicles that uses a flywheel to store its energy. Northrop Grumman will develop a 60kW rapid charger, integrating Trinity's previously developed flywheel energy system. The system would allow fast battery charging with less drain on the electrical power grid supply. This energy storage unit will be "recharged" during off-peak periods to reduce energy costs. Other projects include: - Glacier Bay Inc. of San Mateo, Calif., the world's leading manufacturer of high-performance maritime refrigeration refrigeration, process for drawing heat from substances to lower their temperature, often for purposes of preservation. Refrigeration in its modern, portable form also depends on insulating materials that are thin yet effective. systems will apply its technology to EV and HEV cooling systems cooling systems for housed animals include spraying of roofs with water, evaporative pads with fans, foggers and misters; for pastured animals shelter from the sun by trees or artificial shade devices and cooling ponds are used. by developing a heat pump with twice the energy efficiency performance of the most efficient vehicle air conditioning system currently being tested. This system will also provide increased heat output in cold climates. - ISE Ise (ē`sā), city (1990 pop. 104,164), Mie prefecture, S Honshu, Japan, on Ise Bay. It is one of the foremost religious centers of Shinto, the site of the shrines of Ise. Research of San Diego will work with Kenworth Truck Co. to design and evaluate the use of a hybrid electric drive train in a heavy-duty, Class 8 trash removal truck with near-term commercialization potential. Systems currently in design include turbine generators, advance batteries and advanced system controllers. Crown Disposal will purchase at least one truck for testing in Los Angeles. - AC Propulsion, San Dimas, Calif./Moller International, Davis, Calif., will create a portable engine/alternator/charging control unit designed to extend the range of EVs. AC Propulsion will integrate its advanced controller technology with Moller International's highly efficient, low-emission rotary engine. The extender will be designed to either attach to an EV or be towed in a small trailer behind the EV. - PIVCO, Alameda, Calif., will take its prototype "City Bee" EV to the next stage of production readiness. These EVs are being assessed for engineering and design modifications necessary to make them fully marketable in the United States. Three areas -- safety and crashworthiness Crashworthiness is the ability of a structure to protect its occupants during an impact. This is commonly tested when investigating the safety of vehicles. Depending on the nature of the impact and the vehicle involved, different criteria are used to determine the certification, component sourcing, and hardware reliability/fit and finish -- are the program's focus. - Delco Electronics Power Control Systems, Torrance, Calif., will develop, test and demonstrate an effective integrated battery energy management system, capable of controlling multiple battery pack strings. Batteries can degrade through overcharging and undercharging individual battery cells. This Distributed Energy Management System would measure individual battery voltages and temperatures and provide equalization In communications, techniques used to reduce distortion and compensate for signal loss (attenuation) over long distances. through a central controller. Westinghouse, Bluebird bluebird, common name for a North American migratory bird of the family Turdidae (thrush family). The eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis, is among the first spring arrivals in the North. It is about 7 in. (17.8 cm) long. and GNB GNB Guinea-Bissau (ISO Country code) GNB Good News Bible GNB Group of Notified Bodies GNB Gram-Negative Bacillus GNB Grenoble, France - St Geoirs (Airport Code) GNB Global Networked Business will also participate in this program. - AeroVironment and Rod Millen Motorsports, Monrovia, Calif., will continue work for CALSTART and DARPA to develop an advanced, stealthy stealth·y adj. stealth·i·er, stealth·i·est Marked by or acting with quiet, caution, and secrecy intended to avoid notice. See Synonyms at secret. hybrid electric military reconnaissance vehicle. The emphasis will remain on developing and testing rugged vehicle subsystems with advanced capabilities. "These eight projects continue to highlight California's high-tech skills," added Gage, "while continuing to both expand military capabilities and grow a new global transportation industry led by the U.S. That industry's momentum is only growing." CALSTART is a California nonprofit consortium dedicated to creating an advanced transportation industry in the state. Its more than 200 participants include electronic, defense and aerospace technology firms, vehicle manufacturers, transit districts, all the state's major natural gas and electric utilities, public agencies and labor and environmental groups. CONTACT: CALSTART Bill Van Amburg/Melanie Savage, 818/565-5600 http://www.calstart.org |
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