STRETCHING THE GASOLINE GALLON. AN ENGINEERING APPROACH

The author considers various methods of reducing energy use in transportation by reducing energy demand per vehicle mile. Possible engine improvements and alternatives discussed are redesign of carburetors and variation in fuel mixtures, and alternative power plants such as the stratified charge engine, the Wankel rotary engine, the gas turbine (Brayton cycle), Rankine cycle (steam), and Stirling engines. The advantages and disadvantages associated with these engines are presented. Improvements in fuel economy as a result of reduced vehicle size and weight are considered, as are the necessity for maintenance or improvement of present safety standards. Suggestions are given for other design improvements such as modified body design to reduce aerodynamic drag and improved tire design to decrease rolling resistance.

• Record URL:
  • https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trnews/tr-news-57-02.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07386826
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Blake, S E
• Publication Date: 1974-12

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 11-15
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research News
  • Issue Number: 57
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0738-6826

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Carburetors; Energy; Fuel air mixtures; Fuel consumption; Gas turbines; Heat cycle; Radial ply tires; Rankine engines; Rotary engines; Steam engines; Stirling engines; Stratified charge engines; Tires; Turbine engines; Vehicle design; Wankel engines
• Old TRIS Terms: Brayton system; Butterfly valves; Radial tires; Rankine cycle
• Subject Areas: Design; Energy; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00083713
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Apr 8 1975 12:00AM