09/26/03

NovaKinetics

All Members Present

3:30pm: Meeting Started

MINUTES:

Project Requirements:

  • Travel Expectations
  • Commuting 5-6 miles to and from work each day [avg. 15 mile/day]
  • Needs to be able to go more than 20mph uphill
  • i.e. should travel speed limit up Cedar; don’t want to be embarrassed
  • Not for weekend use
  • Needs a charger for overcast days
  • Battery capacity for several days use
  • Intended as a city car/ maximum steady-state cruise around 40mph but can withstand up to 70mph
  • Designed for Flagstaff climate/driving conditions (then work towards Phoenix/Tucson)
  • Performance parameters: keep up with traffic, typical specs for a mid-size economy car
  • No off-roading; speed-bump at worst
  • Fun demonstration vehicle
  • Size Limitations
  • Minimize weight
  • Single-seater
  • Ease the load
  • Cargo space has the utility of a motorcycle with a little room for storage; very minimal
  • “Re-inventing the horse”
  • Optimum aerodynamic requirement is 3 or 4 to 1
  • Comparable to a modern sports car
  • Won’t take up more than one parking space (5ft x 10ft)
  • No target weight limit; batteries will drive this
  • Power / Renewable Energy Requirements
  • Enough power to be able to deal w/ traffic
  • Hybrid
  • Should be self-sustaining
  • No back-up gas motor
  • Converting energy to hydrogen for use; study for use on efficiency
  • Can use fuel cells and may convert chemical energy
  • 40-50 sq. ft. of PV cells should enable you to gather enough power
  • PV cells integrated into body; you can’t orient them perpendicular to the sun; the best is when you attract the sun
  • Ideally universal for any parking, geometry would be best if you park North/South
  • 20-30 degrees off and you would still get pretty good pick-up; needs more research
  • Batteries for a storage device / high-powered capacitors
  • Short-burst acceleration, etc.
  • Limit to current burst out of a battery
  • Balance might be best
  • Regenerative braking doesn’t buy that much in efficiency
  • Capacitors to store energy from regenerative braking
  • Safety Features / Accessories / Ergonomics
  • Three wheels makes it legally a motorcycle
  • Heating
  • Stereo
  • Maintenance / Manufacturing
  • This is a proof-of-concept, so blow off maintenance issues
  • Can use off-the-shelf parts
  • Differentials off of ATV’s, etc.
  • High efficiency tires, suspension, etc.
  • Materials
  • Metal is better for the primary structure (aluminum riveted platform, tubing)
  • Light-weight composite shell
  • Low-rolling resistance tires
  • Front/rear wheel drive open (fat in front/tapered in back)
  • NovaKinetics requirements
  • Pretty respectable design that could withstand critical review
  • You have design freedom
  • Could be funding for a proof-of-concept model ($1000-2000)
  • Meet with Jim every 2-3 weeks to let him know what’s going on
  • No cost limitations; no competitive price point
  • No written progress reports; just discuss at meetings
  • Just show this can be done!
  • Miscellaneous
  • Jeep has an example to view
  • Corbin motors website (build a variety of small electric vehicles)
  • “Sparrow” example model

5:00pm: Meeting Adjourned