tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91939648259022520442024-02-07T14:01:46.500-08:00Lightning HybridsLightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-35330002896837972692010-07-14T16:28:00.000-07:002010-07-14T16:35:01.179-07:00New Lightweight Accumulators<div>LIGHTNING HYBRIDS INTRODUCES LIGHTWEIGHT HYDRAULIC ACCUMULATORS<br /><br />Colorado company produces tanks that are one-third the weight of standard tanks<br /><br />Loveland, Colorado (July 12, 2010) — Lightning Hybrids Inc. (LHI) today introduced their lightweight high pressure composite bladder accumulators for hydraulic and other energy storage applications. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493909410132297650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUtdyOOkVY7oGn-tqGfv-sTLSIGGaGhDDCXW-tCgG7iu-THZvP_kuL5NspB0OofOrUCEHtEaYUXnvFSm9vFRtpVrMIi2b4pi-QHRjjTETn9hpcm1D4PWWS48WJJqNWiO6Cwpu5uLYQXI/s400/Tank_sizes.jpg" /><br /><br />LHI’s composite tanks are one-third the weight of standard steel accumulators and offer significant energy savings due to weight reduction, increased safety due to a higher than standard burst pressure factor, and cost savings because they are easier and less expensive to ship and install since weight and mounting hardware is minimized<br /><a name="_GoBack"></a><br />The patent-pending tanks were engineered by Lightning Hybrids specifically for use in the company’s HyPER Assist™ hydraulic hybrid vehicle application. Though it quickly became evident that there are other uses for these lightweight energy storage tanks such as emergency vehicles, forestry, agricultural and mining mobile equipment, among others.<br /><br />“Our lightweight accumulators enhance the performance and efficiency of a variety of hydraulic systems,” stated Dan Johnson, LHI’s CEO, “in addition they add a higher dimension of safety and reliability over standard steel accumulators.”<br /><br />Structural Composites Industries, a subsidiary of Worthington Cylinders, manufactures the accumulators for Lightning Hybrids. SCI is a world-recognized leader in high pressure tank manufacturing with an impeccable safety record and has managed the certifications required for these high-pressure tanks.<br /><br />Lightning Hybrids’ accumulators are 6,000 PSI bladder accumulators and range in size from 10 to 30 gallons. They are a Type 3 tank and consist of an aluminum lining and a spun carbon fiber wrapped shell, encompassing a nitrogen gas compression bladder. LHI’s carbon fiber wrapped vessels are considerably lighter than their steel counterparts. For example, a 15 gallon accumulator weighs 115 pounds compared to 465 pounds for a steel accumulator. LHI’s accumulators are made and assembled in the U.S.A. Orders are currently being taken with delivery 60 days from receipt of order. For more information please call 1-800-223-0740 ext. 102. </div>Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-45936590424772654742010-07-10T08:54:00.000-07:002010-07-10T08:57:27.498-07:00REEL BIZ Video<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGb9-dUJ-mSXVE4Pu-MA1b1ziKtFhzSYDplyw70c2GMoEcr90uIJ8WzP1SBcSTCpNZiq5FjQ4l2pjVsfDgbga5i8imS-98GS4pKFpXxiPOI-r-Uz3NiwlBkMLtNlteV05Jmuj7ut_hne4/s1600/Reel_Biz.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 173px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 71px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492307240294307906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGb9-dUJ-mSXVE4Pu-MA1b1ziKtFhzSYDplyw70c2GMoEcr90uIJ8WzP1SBcSTCpNZiq5FjQ4l2pjVsfDgbga5i8imS-98GS4pKFpXxiPOI-r-Uz3NiwlBkMLtNlteV05Jmuj7ut_hne4/s400/Reel_Biz.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Check out some of our team interviewed for the Larimer County Workforce Center/Colorado Department of Labor and Employment:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.betrproject.org/skilled-trades-and-technical-sciences/lightning-hybrids">http://www.betrproject.org/skilled-trades-and-technical-sciences/lightning-hybrids</a></div>Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-15138992594480549692010-03-14T18:52:00.000-07:002010-03-16T16:22:55.710-07:00NTEA Work Truck Show Pictures<div>Pictures of our booth at the National Truck Equipment Association's Work Truck Show - March 10 to 12, 2010.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448678426205365058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEila62dQRvTb7hT5XBzaWPG9hhVRoG6AD_bg4worAeHpqZJkAHpYOAAKQ_wNP7106RFOMFZUjgNbjttj_nfTIkPlmaUIbCYwrZgcXDr7S5nJ-j4Nwv3CDDMlYNVJxa278ukR8_g1iX7vmE/s400/March2609+024.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449362864053654066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGLq24JpMnShHJNJErnbBOVNn1T8cdqDj73CYjq1VND1h1UIROCnnAPBtRyUXeJGSLXrlJb-F2pnU-Dfa0NsRUDkJOo6Ipw_hMXSndfVp-lNXR7DhpoZkcVFdqJFcB59h50kKKeEDlHQ/s400/March2609+015.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448673012378537474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqOzoVsKGxAPif2O8EmOMNrwUsgZjjCN1e6TKTzm9IUrjom60kxkYWPm4ZYzxeTXf_sdCB2LfSbMwqayCW5qQJEayQdi-D0Q-08QQwOQd-uf4BmrK3NGYQl1UFma6Jqt6MUeFQhK3xY0/s400/March2609+006.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448677941324007282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdFO4UfTGrxyTQo5r3zBfjBolUVCKqkcJ2-fg7XpdYS3vPc55BMT6eqhPWR1UroOqGdtEtv3w0IYXO_XpZNWGQTKHhFN6VRPEEbJaaCuM5p7oO9rRa67_64LRbRuM28cos9M9v5QbHls/s400/March2609+018.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448673737304792866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyJF-e6bRfWol1YqAvxKworfixw6C3mX-wPm9tsBDvtXHcT-kmyvRE18Uanl2uN6igdAkFjXszth7ACfng8vXoceJ55vXz0t0VqSJ7wiEGRNiOpLItNu2VycTRdB0bjk3QhzMQRJcVYg/s400/March2609+011.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448674254028222514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVYglLQgLXCGL0L3BvTi3gh5iN2KI4FRirzW-M5ROt3rlVGGBWpSQOHXPqowj13gCVZFyB5DwhUARsIbRsdTh5rwUhPG8TqPs10xaxyEQVp98nYCV8bDhHKrO6SxWoDcDOcGUtuEsNiM/s400/March2609+013.jpg" /></div>Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-73764553823774321612010-03-14T18:51:00.001-07:002010-03-14T18:52:38.376-07:00New VideoClick <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZhCr_0oCSQ">Here </a>to see our new process flow video.Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-43408125672006860302010-03-01T14:47:00.001-08:002010-03-01T14:47:05.530-08:00Hydraulic Hybrid Systems - VCIR Technology Showcase<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/qpnLHZkTLmE' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/qpnLHZkTLmE'/></object></p></div>Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-55674169775401023992010-01-11T08:11:00.000-08:002010-01-11T08:11:00.119-08:00Lightning Hybrids Receives Larimer County Workforce Center GrantLightning Hybrids received a grant from the Larimer County Workforce Center (LCWC) to employ thirteen interns. These positions, paid by LCWC, will work for 400 to 500 hours each and will focus on projects ranging from mechanical engineering to updating our website.<br /><br />For more information click <a href="http://lightninghybrids.com/hire-colorado-2.html">here</a>.Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-3945880094202654242010-01-04T08:04:00.000-08:002010-01-04T08:04:00.177-08:00Major New Federal Incentives for Fleet Vehicles LikelyA bill in the Senate (S.2854) will increase potential tax incentives for medium- and heavy-duty fleet vehicles to $15,000-$100,000 for new hybrid technology purchases. This is great news for fleets and gives truck manufacturers great incentive to license HHS’s technology.<br /><br />This bill has not yet passed and we need your help getting it modified to include hydraulic hybrids in addition to electric hybrids, as well as retrofits in addition to new vehicles.<br /><br />If you would like a fact sheet to send to your State representative or anyone who may be able to help get the wording changed in the bill please email <a href="mailto:%20bonnie@lightninghybrids.com">Bonnie</a>.<br /><br />-------<br /><br /><strong>Reasons to include Hydraulic Hybrids in State and Federal Incentives </strong><br /><strong><br /></strong>-- Hydraulic hybrids offer the same or better benefits as electric hybrids<br /> - Significant reduction in fuel use (40 to 80% savings in stop-and-go situations)<br /> - Significant reduction in carbon emissions (up to 50% reductions in most environments)<br /><br />-- There is no battery to dispose of at the end of its cycle life<br /><br />-- Hydraulic hybrids can be certified by the EPA in the same way as electric hybrids<br /><br />-- Hydraulic hybrids are safer than electric hybrids<br /> - No specialized hazard training is necessary to work on hydraulics<br /> - Hydraulic components are not likely to explode or catch fire<br /><br />-- Hydraulic hybrid components are readily available unlike electric hybrids which are constrained by supply availability<br /><br />-- Hydraulic hybrid components and systems are generally made in the U.S. unlike electric hybrids that are generally built with imported batteries that comprise the majority of the cost<br /><br /><br /><strong>Reasons to include Retrofits in State and Federal Incentives</strong><br /><br />-- Retrofits extend the life and increase the value of an existing vehicle<br /><br />-- Hydraulic hybrid retrofits offer the same or better benefits as new hybrid vehicles<br /> - Significant reduction in fuel use (40 to 80% savings in stop-and-go situations) <br /> - Significant reduction in carbon emissions (up to 50% reductions in most environments)<br /><br />-- Retrofits can be certified by the EPA in the same way as new hybrid vehiclesLightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-593106226804519282009-12-29T19:40:00.000-08:002009-12-29T19:40:00.204-08:00Hydraulic Hybrid Prototyping<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fYN5LpTUZc08raxP9T3-UZ6Q6OOrGGWGi_jw2cHSU5ttZhc7mi15OOKorUGrzsfZFfcCzWuUpQRfPQ_Ei0_5ZfkOjrl1_yozui8TBtmP-VvtckFcxQCq4baqn3Vf4zbV7QUCHBmu2-k/s1600-h/August+26+006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419758244155259442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fYN5LpTUZc08raxP9T3-UZ6Q6OOrGGWGi_jw2cHSU5ttZhc7mi15OOKorUGrzsfZFfcCzWuUpQRfPQ_Ei0_5ZfkOjrl1_yozui8TBtmP-VvtckFcxQCq4baqn3Vf4zbV7QUCHBmu2-k/s200/August+26+006.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZp5TocXQpf1V-GO2Ck43OciTvwuUgSntholJUVwepejOnUnsvFYS3tFxKI1ARyAFhZWN2k0NnAGwQNOQJX5isZQ31_lw_6jQwxb8D1gP-VcPHzOxZ82tRlxEStHKMLjKY-sCWDdBfIc/s1600-h/August+26+006.jpg"></a>After testing our first hydraulic hybrid prototype on the LH4 last summer we moved on to creating a prototype on a 2004 Chevy 2500HD in the fall.<br /></div><div></div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419756699926733218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2cYETG0MJqYYjtrXCO4NdksfXKOHLy-jlACoLqRbw4V5OKoM4z8vaqa_Fx3oXKfOzjXHnWbmpiTez1eW3mG2Vt1xrx5t6uRrC0qRrd5LXu7EdgoA5wLDK0qgALFHb-sNFQmsutl6kB8/s320/November+029.jpg" />We had a truck on loan from the Denver International Airport fleet for the pilot project. It was complete in November and we tested it for a few weeks and that process spurred the major modifications to our Power Transfer Module (see the last post). Unfortunately the transmission on the 2004 truck was not a good candidate for the prototype so we returned the truck to DIA without the hydraulic hybrid system on it with the understanding that we will retrofit a newer truck for them after our next prototype is complete.<br /><br />Currently we are applying the new tank system <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1lgz1XskRu4q2tZj_TnchnpdoyAbnA5srzEoKFyDzXZSvVouN6jq17bg6-gQjhhC60h_ilNAMUU-_GiqWyXJmyQdHdop-_4wGgs0AoMj4TxbIKf0LnH3d_tHxLA3k6wABEiK9crF0xA/s1600-h/pump+with+tranny.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419756370096606306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1lgz1XskRu4q2tZj_TnchnpdoyAbnA5srzEoKFyDzXZSvVouN6jq17bg6-gQjhhC60h_ilNAMUU-_GiqWyXJmyQdHdop-_4wGgs0AoMj4TxbIKf0LnH3d_tHxLA3k6wABEiK9crF0xA/s320/pump+with+tranny.jpg" /></a>and updated PTM to a Chevy Silverado 2500HD. (Detail on right.) The system was applied and has since been removed for modifications and in order to get some baseline performance numbers on the truck. The truck will be complete in mid-February and will debut at the State of Colorado’s Governor’s Energy Office Environmental and Transportation Fair on February 24th. From there we will take it to the international Work Truck Show and Green Truck Summit in St. Louis in early March. We are excited to show it off and will keep you posted regarding these opportunities.Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-43519806183691191842009-12-28T16:56:00.000-08:002009-12-28T16:56:00.500-08:00Lightning Hybrids and HHS to Apply for PatentsDuring the prototype process with the 2002 Chevy truck from Denver International Airport, our engineering team made some major modifications to our hydraulic hybrid system design. These revisions are significant and we are working to patent the following innovations:<br /><br />1. Power Transfer Module. Our PTM replaces the vehicle’s torque converter. Since it replaces an existing part, no modifications are required for the drivetrain (such as driveshaft changes, transmission change-outs, etc.) which significantly reduces the cost and increases vehicle efficiency since the torque converter is a major source of inefficiency in stop-and-go driving.<br /><br />2. Dual Tank System. HHS has designed a two-in-one system with proprietary valves that reduces connections and hoses by surrounding a carbon fiber high pressure accumulator with an aluminum low pressure reservoir. The design reduces connections and hoses, a significant benefit when dealing with 5,000 PSI. Standard steel accumulators weigh over 500 pounds, the carbon fiber tank weighs in under 150 pounds, another way to increase system efficiency. No one else has a certified carbon fiber accumulator and Eaton has signed an NDA to explore using ours in their system.<br /><br />3. Controls System. The HHS controls system is proprietary and is unique because we are tying into the On-Board Diagnostics of the vehicle to which the system is applied which allows us to achieve ten percent better fuel mileage improvements when used in conjunction with our PTM.<br /><br />4. Hydraulic System. The hydraulic system is uniquely configured to utilize a standard and proven variable displacement pump in conjunction with a specially-designed valve manifold and uniquely configured high and low pressure tank system.Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-75716243869372589672009-12-26T20:13:00.001-08:002009-12-28T07:42:57.495-08:00We've Moved!Work has started on the renovation of the Mercury Plaza building in downtown Loveland that will be the future headquarters of Lightning Hybrids and Hydraulic Hybrid Systems. Structural designs are being completed and a new floor is going into the old print shop building.<br /><br />While we await our new home, we have moved from the east side of Railroad Avenue to the west side. The new space has great office space for our design and administrative team and a nice garage for our vehicle team. We aren't able to accomodate tours at this time, but hope to host an open house in the springtime.Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-40838632760339758442009-10-21T19:13:00.000-07:002009-10-25T20:24:57.623-07:00Lightning Hybrids and the X PRIZE<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNv9TCeuFi40jC35Mo4kB1AOEUhyQhXFiyakH9Vtg2Qv9sSp7zGJCeDM7bcpRZGGatSn7eJa1e2hHCLTIL4LWHw9Ol93hS4CROeS6JBs8nnm8z5TSutoGm7enNnRpwx3ExE8a04MiyA6w/s1600-h/XPRIZE+logo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 118px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396744389844487842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNv9TCeuFi40jC35Mo4kB1AOEUhyQhXFiyakH9Vtg2Qv9sSp7zGJCeDM7bcpRZGGatSn7eJa1e2hHCLTIL4LWHw9Ol93hS4CROeS6JBs8nnm8z5TSutoGm7enNnRpwx3ExE8a04MiyA6w/s320/XPRIZE+logo.jpg" /></a> <div></div><div></div><div>Back in March we announced that we were accepted as a contestant in the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE. Since then a lot has happened. Most notably, we have decided to focus all of our efforts and funding on the Hydraulic Hybrids Systems retrofit for fleet vehicles. Which means we pulled out of the X PRIZE competition in mid-August. We still plan to exhibit and still plan to have a 100 MPG sports vehicle on the road in 2012, but we no longer have the distraction and funding drain of the X PRIZE's stringent requirements.<br /><br /><br />It started at the Denver Auto Show with a bunch of people asking us when we would be creating a retrofit for vehicles. If you have followed this blog you know that we researched the idea of retrofitting vehicles and found that there is a need in the light- and medium-duty fleet truck market for a hydraulic hybrid application like ours that provides games of over 40% in fuel efficiency and decreases carbon emissions by up to 50%. There are over 6 million vehicles in this category in fleets in the U.S. alone!<br /><br /><br />At the same time we were finding that funding for the LH4 and LH3 was very tight. While our technology is sound, we decided to spend our resources on the retrofit prototypes rather than the cars because the return on investment is <em>under a year</em> for the retrofits compared to a decade or more for the vehicles, even if we were to win the X PRIZE race.<br /><br /><br />The cars are still a passion, but we know that we have to build a successful retrofit business first before the cars can become a reality.</div>Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-14482535690240808482009-09-15T12:41:00.000-07:002009-12-26T20:15:14.167-08:00Lightning Hybrids to Raise $1.5 Million in Capital Through One-Year 10% Secured Notes<div></div>Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-90373571155118427482009-09-15T12:32:00.000-07:002009-12-26T19:55:51.516-08:00Lightning Hybrids to Raise $1.5 Million in Capital Through One-Year 10% Secured NotesWe have had many requests about how to invest in <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.lightninghybrids.com">Lightning Hybrids </a>- well, now we have an investment opportunity for you. We are raising capital to fund the final leg of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.hydraulichybridsystems.com">Hydraulic Hybrid Systems</a> retrofit pilot project (which will, in turn, fund the future prototyping of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">LH3</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">LH</span>4.)<br /><br />This effort will be our first debt offering (We currently have no debt) and will be in the form of a one year secured convertible note. The note will pay ten percent interest and you will have the option to convert the note to equity at a discount when due at the end of one year (standard legal fine p<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">rint</span>, of course.) The minimum investment is $50,000. If you and/or someone you know are interested in knowing more please contact <a href="http://www.blogger.com/bonnie@lightninghybrids.com">Bonnie</a>.Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-91963402418543268082009-09-03T21:40:00.000-07:002009-12-26T19:52:47.766-08:00HHS Retrofit Pilot Project<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377468588382425810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOhyphenhyphenR01G2lCJtz2A3EqyOEBxzvVng8xJTVc5Pc-eb_iNMz8e8ejrTr4h5mkCsCnkEf_X2Y77fLAjJgf_9FrEg7u2MOhqo-V-yPJzVmHIQG74mkwTw7Nu3YfjMU5kwnBF8D-Yf8eRk2I4/s400/Truck!+002.jpg" />In late July HHS received a truck from Denver International Airport for our Retrofit Pilot Project. It is a Chevy 2500 that runs on compressed natural gas (CNG) and is used for runway checks and plowing. Our plan is to put this truck back on the DIA runway in early October for demonstration and testing.<br /><br /><br />Work began immediately on assessing the controls systems, transmission and torque converter. Shortly thereafter we created a test stand on which to mount all of the components of the system so we could easily test and evaluate each component of the system.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377469381503765506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsGQeSLHyu-RDljMVGyotZjGWe_h2Sf1bwKTk8hpV6zZCtrTTQERuyo5PIBvZ7e9tZ5EG3dRDfdmmJGEgY20KAlUip1T_4zGnNMB_hVNWHxpIMLzerCv7p0pDq_aHN8RfjImznDxIfXc/s400/August+26+012.jpg" />The system changes daily and is getting closer and closer to being ready to be put back on the truck. Stay tuned here for more information about this Retrofit Pilot Project.Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-78609525919696465852009-09-03T21:08:00.000-07:002009-12-26T19:36:41.625-08:00Welcome to Hydraulic Hybrid Systems' BlogThank you for tuning in to HHS's new blog. We hope to use this forum to show the HHS technology as it is beling developed as well as answer questions that you may have.<br /><br />Please direct any questions in the comments to via email to <a href="http://www.blogger.com/bonnie@lightninghybrids.com">Bonnie</a>.<br /><br />Thanks again for reading!Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-2826960709926107332009-09-03T20:13:00.000-07:002009-10-21T19:01:24.726-07:00PRESS RELEASE: Hydraulic Hybrid Systems and Equipment Maintenance Innovators Announce Partnership<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAjL-HLhTGOvIXG6WPHBN-Vpecr92S48mnxIkqWYR0peV4LT81JdqtuRM61NjpmeUKgxjrqU86sh-CYPYr5aFmyKUdEjC-kFCVGB7dkjNVKVK87XDMdoWx4uTEmPNsbJ1ruLNUCQ_S60/s1600-h/HHS+logo-Final-RGB.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 106px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377445530553789458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAjL-HLhTGOvIXG6WPHBN-Vpecr92S48mnxIkqWYR0peV4LT81JdqtuRM61NjpmeUKgxjrqU86sh-CYPYr5aFmyKUdEjC-kFCVGB7dkjNVKVK87XDMdoWx4uTEmPNsbJ1ruLNUCQ_S60/s320/HHS+logo-Final-RGB.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xhtzc1e9DKNLEwPLFzpMaVyT47ppCuhwOYZNkyRJeMXrbIQCzmFiaNnQ0q2xvbCNGP59QfQCf59UfqmNQhRqeidgQnoDPn-BR3isl4Y3ZISILumgOqZ1TncF-JvKPE7MkgTK9ZAYSH0/s1600-h/emi_18.png"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpSHZ5MfLzgrtCBj6XHHV4QJgfMDn0F8VaQJ-IiJ9Ez72yQrT8ADio2aMlsPKRUEiARKxIAUivp00h1tplSxvsXwyVuHCzKPdLHoI0cfUA5dt-QgJtc-RZ57GalVT6mlXeTwFCK1meIo/s1600-h/emi_18.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 74px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377446368392100674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpSHZ5MfLzgrtCBj6XHHV4QJgfMDn0F8VaQJ-IiJ9Ez72yQrT8ADio2aMlsPKRUEiARKxIAUivp00h1tplSxvsXwyVuHCzKPdLHoI0cfUA5dt-QgJtc-RZ57GalVT6mlXeTwFCK1meIo/s320/emi_18.png" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div></div><div> </div><div>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br /></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Hydraulic Hybrid Systems and Equipment Maintenance Innovators Announce Partnership</span> </div><strong></strong><br /><div><br />Two Colorado companies will manufacture and distribute hydraulic hybrid systems for fleet vehicles </div><br /><div><br /><br />Loveland, Colorado (September 3, 2009) — Hydraulic Hybrid Systems, LLC (HHS), a subsidiary of Lightning Hybrids Inc., today announced a partnership with Equipment Maintenance Innovators (EMI-Global) to distribute its hydraulic hybrid retrofit systems.<br /><br />This partnership brings together two Colorado companies to manufacture and distribute fuel-efficient hydraulic hybrid technology for light and medium duty fleet vehicles. The hydraulic hybrid systems are designed to save fleets millions of dollars a year in fuel costs by providing fuel mileage increases of over forty percent and greatly reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to a vehicle’s fuel mileage prior to the retrofit.<br /><br />“Hydraulic hybrids have been around for a while but, there has been no reason until now to explore these kinds of technologies,” stated Richard LeFrancois, founder and president of EMI-Global. “Now is the time to move forward with hydraulics because of the push to cut emissions and dependence on foreign oil. Batteries just cannot address issues for fleets at the scale that we need.”<br /><br />Dan Johnson, CEO of HHS, said “This partnership with EMI-Global closes a gap we had in terms of distribution and we’re excited about the potential this partnership brings. EMI is known for their expertise in the fleet market and already we are seeing doors open to the partners that EMI brings to the table.”<br /><br />One of those partners, Denver International Airport recently provided the first truck to be retrofitted with the hydraulic hybrid system, a Chevrolet HD 2500 truck fueled by compressed natural gas. The hybrid system is currently being installed and tested at HHS’s shop in downtown Loveland, Colorado and the truck prototype will be put back into runway service in early October 2009.<br /><br />In late 2008 Loveland-based Lightning Hybrids began engineering a biodiesel hydraulic hybrid vehicle that combined a small biodiesel engine with a 150 horsepower hydraulic pump on a lightweight sports sedan. The first prototype was displayed at the Denver Auto Show in April 2009. At that show questions arose from a number of fleet managers about the prospect of applying the hydraulic hybrid as a retrofit to existing fleet vehicles.<br /><br />“We explored the opportunity and found a need for fuel and emissions savings in the light-duty fleet market,” said Johnson. “A hydraulic hybrid retrofit system is an excellent answer in situations where the light duty fleet vehicle does a lot of start and stop driving, such as city and state fleet vehicles, vocational and contractor trucks and vans, mining and oil field vehicles, and school buses.”<br /><br />Hydraulic hybrid systems are already available from several manufacturers for new heavy-duty trucks (delivery trucks and refuse trucks) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed and tested hydraulic hybrid vehicles in the past.<br /><br />In late April 2009 the engineering team started the design and implementation of a hydraulic hybrid system that could be applied to these fleet vehicles. Lightning Hybrids established Hydraulic Hybrid Systems, LLC in July 2009 to manage the manufacturing and distribution of the system.<br /><br />HHS also currently has a 2008 Chevy Silverado HD 2500 in the shop that will serve as a demonstration vehicle. The truck is stripped down almost to a bare chassis and has a plexiglass floorboard to show the system as it works. Other vehicle platforms will be prototyped in the near future to meet the needs of current fleets. The system will be manufactured in Loveland starting in 2010, creating dozens of new jobs in this small Northern Colorado town. After manufacture, the systems will be installed and maintained by mechanics trained by HHS.<br /><br />So far test data on the system shows that adding the system to a vehicle:<br />- Does not affect the existing safety rating of the vehicle, in fact it improves braking safety due to the back-up braking system and increased acceleration performance<br />- Improves the reliability of the vehicle because it adds another power source<br />- Increases fuel efficiency up to 40% for general non-highway uses<br />- Does not affect the emissions systems of the vehicle<br />- Emissions reduction of 40% of carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas<br /><br />HHS’s parallel hydraulic hybrid system is similar to many of the electric hybrid vehicles on the market today wherein a conventional internal combustion engine can drive the vehicle by itself or be assisted by another power system which can be mechanically coupled or decoupled from the main conventional driveline. In the parallel hydraulic system a hydraulic motor/pump acts in place of the electric motor in an electric hybrid, and a hydraulic accumulator tank pressurized to 5,000 psi acts in place of the batteries. Compared to an electric hybrid system, hydraulic hybrid systems are much safer and less expensive to maintain.<br /><br /><br />###<br /><br /><strong>About Hydraulic Hybrid Systems, LLC</strong><br />Serious Fuel Savings > Heavy Duty Acceleration > Efficient Brake Regeneration > Safe Carbon Reduction<br /><br />A subsidiary of Lightning Hybrids, Hydraulic Hybrid Systems (HHS) is a truck equipment manufacturing company headquartered in Loveland, Colorado. The company has designed a hydraulic hybrid system that can be applied to fleet vehicles and will achieve over 40 percent reduction in fuel consumption. The first platform, for Chevrolet 2500/3500 light duty trucks of any fuel source, is available now and other vehicles will be added and available through distributors later in 2009. The average price of the system for light duty trucks is $12,900.<br /><br />For more information about HHS, please visit <a href="http://www.hydraulichybridsystems.com/">http://www.hydraulichybridsystems.com/</a> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><strong>About Equipment Maintenance Innovators</strong><br />…Technology Integration for the World of Equipment.<br /><br />Founded in 2000, Equipment Maintenance Innovators (EMI-Global) is a technology integration company headquartered in Littleton, Colorado serving the international construction, trucking, oil field, mining, waste, utility and telecommunication markets. The company flagship product, MOBILE-SCADA® is comprised of a suite of industry leading technology applications designed for improving machine operating efficiencies. MOBILE-SCADA® applications consist of Machine Control Technologies, Hybrid Propulsion Technologies, Fuel Management Technology, Power Management Technology, Load Management Technology and Asset Management Technology. EMI-Global founder and president, Richard LeFrancois, has thirty years experience in the truck and construction equipment industry; he has been published frequently in Fleet Maintenance magazine’s “Emerging Technology” column and has been frequently cited as a “industry expert” in ENR magazine, a publication of McGraw-Hill. LeFrancois regards the Lightning Hybrids/Hydraulic Hybrid System technology as an excellent fit for the EMI-GLOBAL business model, its customers and a technology that will be adopted industry wide in the proper application.<br /><br />For more information about EMI-Global, please visit <a href="https://exch1.123together.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=56a4b366eee244c598dcec8a50a90b42&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.emi-global.com" target="_blank">https://exch1.123together.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=56a4b366eee244c598dcec8a50a90b42&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.emi-global.com</a><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><strong>About Lightning Hybrids Inc.</strong><br />Go fast, go far, go green. No compromise.<br /><br />Founded in 2008, Lightning Hybrids Inc. is an automotive research and manufacturing company headquartered in Loveland, Colorado. The company has designed a line of 100 MPG biodiesel-hydraulic hybrid vehicles. The cars, with sports sedan performance (0-60 in 5.9 seconds) and visual appeal, are expected to sell for $39,000-$59,000. Prototype manufacturing began in January 2009. Two Lightning Hybrids prototypes will exhibit in the 2010 Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize race, for clean, production-capable vehicles that exceed 100 MPGe. Additionally the company has created a hydraulic hybrid system that can be applied to fleet vehicles to achieve over 40 percent reduction in fuel consumption. This technology is available to fleet vehicles through Lightning Hybrids’ subsidiary, Hydraulic Hybrid Systems, LLC (HHS).<br /><br />For more information about Lightning Hybrids, please visit <a href="http://www.lightninghybrids.com/">http://www.lightninghybrids.com/</a><br /><br />###</div>Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-16271236720427155662009-08-20T08:40:00.000-07:002009-08-20T08:40:00.815-07:00Current Engineering Projects<div align="left">Here is a list of engineering projects our team is currently working on:<br /><br />- Working on the coordination of the hydraulic hybrid system including assembly and manufacturing proponents - both electrical and mechanical.<br /><br />- Designing the hydraulic circuit, making sure all the components work well together.<br /><br />- Designing the acceleration and brake pedals, as well as the power transfer sprocket assembly.<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 328px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370777222484026770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlMjem98JJNbeIujgflsNhxXMqNJlAmPe9PtZxIMu8RWnmf-lIm8mByOBr7-ghqll3df2nX7fCIcSYtDTvnUXXmqQ9koPV3ySrhAEwtqVSanpYVNAYgMy5GK31E1ui5RUTnhO6G0tdgo/s400/power_sprocket.jpg" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Power transfer sprocket assembly</span></p><p align="left"><br />- Putting the finishing touches to the hydraulic control unit (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">HCU</span>). The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">HCU</span> consists of the digital controller which executes the control algorithms as well as the analog sensor and the power controller interfaces to the hydraulic pump/motor, the brake and acceleration pedals and the Engine Control Unit.<br /><br />- Working on an animation demonstrating the hydraulic hybrid retrofit system. The use of robust modeling and animation software aids in the ability to take concepts and bring them to light in a aesthetically pleasing and timely manner. It also provides a good medium in which people who may not have a hydraulics or engineering background can grasp the concepts with minimal explanation.<br /><br />Updates on these projects will be posted soon.</p>Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-21280584397033142672009-08-18T20:24:00.000-07:002009-12-26T20:15:14.172-08:00Northern Colorado Entrepreneurs Network Presentation<div>Yesterday the Northern Colorado Entrepreneurs Network (NCEN) brought together some of the advanced vehicle technology companies in the northern Colorado region to give short presentations about our business plans and current needs. Lightning Hybrids/Hydraulic Hybrid Systems (Loveland), EVolve Electrics (Longmont), Air Powered Car (Littleton), and Czero (Fort Collins) each made presentations.</div><br />
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<br /><div>Bonnie Trowbridge, our VP of Marketing and PR, gave the following presentation to over 50 regional entrepreneurs. We welcome your feedback.</div><br />
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<br /><div></div>Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-26757306650047091882009-08-17T08:07:00.000-07:002009-08-17T08:07:00.414-07:00Hydraulic Hybrid Systems, LLC<div><div>As we have mentioned before, Lightning Hybrids has started a subsidiary called Hydraulic Hybrid Systems, LLC (HHS). This new company will manage the hydraulic retrofit/upfit side of the business.</div><br /><div>This week our posts will focus on HHS - everything from our business plan to what our engineers are working on to make the hydraulic hybrid system a reality. We will start with the most current information about this project. </div><br /><div></div><div>---------------</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.hydraulichybridsystems.com">Hydraulic Hybrid Systems, LLC</a>, a division of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.lightninghybrids.com">Lightning Hybrids Inc</a>., has created a hydraulic hybrid system for the fleet truck market. The HHS solution involves inserting a high-efficiency, light-weight hydraulic propulsion system within the driveline of a vehicle. This system is designed and engineered to be installed in fourteen hours, including all controls and wiring harness, by a certified installer. The system has been successfully <a href="http://epa.gov/otaq/technology/#hydraulic">tested by the EPA</a> and at various state sponsored university technology incubators including a program at Colorado State University. Successful installations have been on vehicles from the Ford Excursion to Class 8 vocational trucks.<br /><br />In this very simple and effective configuration a hydraulic pump is coupled to the driveline via a belt and clutch. This parallel hybrid system can deliver over 40 percent improvement in fuel economy, depending on the amount of braking seen during a normal drive cycle. The pump and accumulators store braking energy, and upon acceleration, the pump becomes a motor that uses the stored energy in the accumulators(s) to provide torque to power the wheels. The large fuel efficiency gains are achieved by regenerating the braking energy that is normally lost to heat, and using this energy instead of (and in addition to, if needed) the internal combustion engine for acceleration.<br /><br />The hydraulic hybrid system includes a heavy-duty Eaton hydraulic pump and motor, an ASTM certified high pressure accumulator tank, a low pressure reservoir, a valve block, HHS control system, brackets and associated certified hoses. System operation is seamless to the operator.<br /><br />In addition to the demonstrated fuel savings opportunity there are other advantages to this type of hybrid system (especially for the fleet manager). They are: the system requires no bed or cab interior space since all components fit within the chassis frame; there is little or no additional workforce training needed in maintaining the system since hydraulic component and driveline maintenance is already being done in the shops of the target market; it is proven safe, and all components are readily available within the existing truck parts distribution network.<br /><br />The critical and exciting opportunity for this technology is the return on investment garnered from fuel savings. The table below shows several examples and the assumptions made. Note that if gas prices are higher than $3 per gallon (as it already is in some parts of the US and all of Europe), the ROI improves further at a fast rate. This table does not include any federal credits for advanced vehicle technology, hybridization, or emissions improvement (which currently provide $1,500 to $7,500 incentives), nor does it account for savings with brake replacements or the extension of the service cycle for vehicles.<br /><br />(Click on table to enlarge.)</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 128px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370768017938233234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMADP9la01QT3hH3WZUo0XK8AhzEMeGJ7CCC_NWc45cdr51R8D2HJjPN8QpGYrU_Z0PRIb-nbAw5QKgdsQo3GQZ8-Ih2aSJfHPC-_8QfWAGck_AKWIJ3QMXoZuwF6hyphenhypheneO2nYcaQElto9k/s400/scan.jpg" /> <div> </div></div>Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-69052293581902745662009-07-30T19:32:00.000-07:002009-07-30T19:32:00.827-07:00FacebookAre you on Facebook? We are and would love to have you as a fan! Search for us - the official site is the one with the image of the lightning bolt.Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-81720258313077592642009-07-29T19:28:00.000-07:002009-07-29T19:31:59.051-07:00More VideosJust posted a few short clips of the car on the road shot by Engineering TV earlier this month. Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Lightninghybrids">here </a>to go to our youtube page.<br /><br />Again - thanks <a href="http://engineeringtv.com/blogs/etv/archive/tags/Lightning+Hybrids/default.aspx">Engineering TV</a>!Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-23402594889226288332009-07-24T15:28:00.000-07:002009-07-24T15:28:00.774-07:00Q&A: Doubling Prius' Gas MileageWe frequently get questions about different aspects of LHI. I will be posting some of them here in the hopes that readers will find the info interesting or helpful.<br /><br /><em></em><br /><em>Q. I don’t know what to say when somebody makes impossible claims about their new product. This design seems similar to a Prius, except that the hydraulic system will store much less energy than the battery in an electric hybrid. How could this possibly double the mileage of the Prius? The hydraulic hybrid system is well-known. It is fine for delivery trucks, but offers few benefits for a general-purpose car.<br /></em><br />A. The hydraulic system has the benefit of storing energy at a much faster rate than the electric hybrid. It is true that the electric hybrid system can store a larger amount of energy, but that energy is also not free because of the fact that the electric system cannot recover the full amount of energy in even a normal driving cycle stop. The Prius often runs the gas engine in order to maintain energy levels in the batteries. In terms of energy density the two systems may be comparable but in terms of storage rate and efficiency the hydraulic system has an advantage. This coupled with the fact that a turbo diesel engine is about twice as efficient as the gasoline engine in the prius and the body design of LH4 improves the already excellent drag characteristics of the Prius with a lighter chasis and body substantiates our claim of doubling the efficiency of the Prius.Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-80019046595224149842009-07-23T06:45:00.000-07:002009-08-16T21:06:19.485-07:00Fleet Retrofit Pilot Project<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdfSY-fpqnrQSe2vH1CmvvlkUSgy1PH-Hh0eYJWdfq0UQqx5B3PkMxBln7IQKtdJqq7Qu22JjHUY6Rgx-zXCE5gmyrYOaZ63p5J_YOCSUGsM_IIjssuX2CRf6ixAhhx4TJFdwrAOR1Qw/s1600-h/Truck!+005.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361454539365399250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdfSY-fpqnrQSe2vH1CmvvlkUSgy1PH-Hh0eYJWdfq0UQqx5B3PkMxBln7IQKtdJqq7Qu22JjHUY6Rgx-zXCE5gmyrYOaZ63p5J_YOCSUGsM_IIjssuX2CRf6ixAhhx4TJFdwrAOR1Qw/s400/Truck!+005.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Dan with the truck from DIA</span> </div><br />Yesterday we received the first truck for our fleet retrofit project. It is a Chevy 2500 four-wheel drive powered by compressed natural gas. It is from the Denver International Airport ground fleet.<br /><br /><br />As soon it arrived Dan and the team were under the hood and checking out the drivetrain to see where there would be room for the hydraulics and tanks. There is ample room under the truck.<br /><br /><br />We are excited to work with the natural gas vehicle and will get a gasoline powered truck in soon as well so we can get some good baselines and apply the hydraulics. The truck will be in the shop for about 45 days before it is put on the road and in the CSU engines lab for testing for a few weeks. It should be back on the runway at DIA by October 1.Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-45558672602841997612009-07-22T15:22:00.000-07:002009-07-22T15:22:00.797-07:00Q&A: Leaks in the Hydraulic SystemWe frequently get questions about different aspects of LHI. I will be posting some of them here in the hopes that readers will find the info interesting or helpful.<br /><br /><em></em><br /><em>Q: Fantastic concept. What about oil leaks from the hydraulic systems and the resulting fire hazards? I have seen industrial hydraulic systems that, over time, tend to get leaky.</em><br /><br />A: Certain types of seals work better than others. If you are clever enough in how you design your manifold you can eliminate most of the hoses or piping in the plumbing. By sticking to mainly o-ring and mechanical seals in the few seals that you have you can largely eliminate leaks from the system.<br /><br />In fact, you may remember that we had a leak in our hydraulic system minutes before our May 27 Open House. While it was messy, it was no more messy, or dangerous, than a standard oil leak.Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9193964825902252044.post-393490552427755682009-07-21T15:19:00.000-07:002009-07-28T14:51:27.879-07:00Q&A: Pneumatic HybridWe frequently get questions about different aspects of LHI. I will be posting some of them here in the hopes that readers will find the info interesting or helpful.<br /><br /><em></em><br /><em>Q: The actual energy storage is in the gas in the bladder of the hydraulic accumulator. Why not have a pneumatic hybrid? Way back in 1930, a diesel-pneumatic was more efficient than a diesel-electric, and air is cheap and easy to store.<br /></em><br />A: The Hydraulic Hybrid in this configuration is essentially a pneumatic hybrid as mentioned. The energy is in fact stored by compressing air. The air that is compressed is nitrogen gas which is held in the accumulator bladder. The advantage of the hydraulic system is that you are pumping an incompressible fluid which allows you to achieve higher flow rates in a smaller package. A one hundred horsepower compressor that would allow you to compress and store enough energy to accelerate the vehicle from a stop would be half the size of the vehicle itself. Imagine an industrial air compressor. As I understand most pneumatic hybrid vehicles use a smaller compressor that runs continuously at a low power setting. The one hundred horsepower hydraulic pump occupies much less than a cubic foot of space and only weighs 45 pounds.Lightning Hybridshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379641578467591708noreply@blogger.com0