john@hp-pcd.UUCP (john) (04/08/85)
<<<<
I heard of a test vehicle several years ago that did a similar thing. It
used a normal engine to power a compressor that powered a drive turbine. The
big advantage was that it had a tank that would smooth out the normal power
requirements for the drive and allow the engine to run at a constant high
efficiency rate even while siting at a stop sign. I believe it also used some
method of dynamic braking to recharge the tank while slowing down.
It was so fuel efficient that the big oil companies must have gotten it since
I haven't heard anything about it recently.
John Eaton
!hplabs!hp-pcd!john