Tuesday, December 23, 2014

The X-Factor In Musk's Human Transport Concept Gets A Boost

Hyperloop capsules being loaded with human and luggage cargo for a very quick and insulated trip that will be amongst the fastest type of public/commercial transportation devised by man. Image Credit: Daily Mail via Space X (2014)

The X-Factor In Musk's Human Transport Concept Gets A Boost

While standing in a long line at a Costco Wholesale during the Christmas season holiday, one may notice how communication from the checkout cashpoint to the central management office is accomplished.

The "Checker" at the cashpoint, with the all of the scanners, credit card terminals, and printers, also is equipped with a tube system that allows one to take checks, money, and other paper-based monied communications, place them in a cylinder, which is then placed in the tube and sucked through vacuum pressure where at the other end of the tube, the information is delivered almost instantly. 

Marshall Fields central communications (1947) - Before the invention of phones and fax machines, people in cities sent messages through a huge system of underground tubes filled with compressed air. Image Credit: chuckmanchicagonostalgia.wordpress-dot-com

Management is assured that these communications that result in good profits never become breached from point-to-point due the closed nature of this pneumatic tube system.

A typical Costco Wholesale cashpoint section where the pneumatic tubes of the money transfer system can be seen routed along the ceiling of the store. Image Credit: Flickr

This is the precise idea behind PayPal, Tesla Motors, and Space X founder and CEO Elon Musk. He believes that the findings of a recent 76-page report may go a long way in proving his pneumatic tube proposal/argument that a human transport system such as this vacuum "hyperloop" that is in use at all Costco stores is the future of human mass transportation from point-to-point.

Infographic of the proposed Hyperloop human transport system (video presentation link). Image Credit: via Space X (2014)


This edited and excerpted from USAToday -

Report: Elon Musk's 'hyperloop' idea could work
By Chris Woodyard - 12-22-2014 - USAToday

Enthusiasts behind Elon Musk's "hyperloop" proposal -- an intercity tube that speeds passengers riding in capsules at 600 miles per hour -- have taken the next step, producing a report outlining some of the big issues around the project.

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies' 76-page report focuses issues surrounding a system that could connect San Francisco with Los Angeles. The report says, however, that there are many city pairs around the world that would be candidates for a hyperloop.

The 400-plus-mile trip would take less than an hour, compared to more than six hours of driving. The goal is to keep the ticket price in the $20 to $30 range, although the report points out that at total cost estimates of $16 billion, they could go higher. Still, it says, hyperloop would be a bargain compared to alternatives. "If this same overall price point were preserved for other city pairings, it could dramatically change the way people live and work in cities," the report says.
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"The Hyperloop design uses a combination of low air pressure and magnetic acceleration to get people from LA to SF in just about 30 minutes," the report says. It would produce its own electricity from solar power.
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Passengers would travel in aerodynamic pods the size of vans inside the tube. HTT envisions developing three designs -- one each for luxury passengers, economy economy passengers and freight.
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HTT estimates that the cost of the system would be $20 million to $45 million a mile, as contrast from what it says are costs of up to $200 million a mile for conventional mass transportation system.
[Reference Here]

The report does point out one of the many problems of a self-contained closed loop pneumatic tube system ... how would passengers deal with an uncontrollable "Nature Calls" or a "Mile High Club"-like situation?

Good question.

... notes from The EDJE

<a href="http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/would-you-travel-from-la-to-sf-in-a-tube-video/question-4639050/" title="Would you travel from LA to SF in a tube (video)?">Would you travel from LA to SF in a tube (video)?</a>

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

AEM Infinity On Pirelli World Challenge GTS Camaros




AEM Infinity On Pirelli World Challenge GTS Camaros

Racer perspectives on the AEM Infinity ECU and its advantages over other engine management systems. Andy Lee and Geoff Reeves talk about how the Infinity has helped them advance their Pirelli World Challenge GTS Camaros.
[ht: with permission from AEM]

The Infinity EMS represents a quantum leap in technological capability over virtually all existing engine management controllers available today and eases the tuning process for even the most sophisticated engine combinations. It is quite possibly the most advanced programmable engine controller available.

INFINITY EMS FEATURES:
  •     Compatible with most factory and performance aftermarket sensors
  •     Includes start up configurations (supported applications only)
  •     ECU set up wizard
  •     User interface features 3D graphics
  •     Internal simulator
  •     USB 2.0 High-Speed communications
  •     Tune using USB communication port (optional weatherproof extension cable sold separately)
  •     High-speed USB data logging to mass storage device (4GB included, tested to 64GB)
  •     Internal data logging playback mode on every channel, synchronized with all controls
  •     AEMdata data analysis software included
  •     2-Channel CAN included
  •     Runs on Windows-compatible software

INFINITY EMS CAPABILITIES:
  •     Airflow model based calculations
  •     Fuel control resolution to 1/10th of a microsecond (.0000001 sec)
  •     Multi-fuel capable
  •     Flex fuel compensated fuel, ignition and boost with blend
  •     Open-loop fuel pressure compensation
  •     Ignition table, 20x20
  •     VE airflow table, map vs. engine speed, 20x20
  •     Configurable coil dwell (RPM, voltage and load based)
  •     Individual cylinder ignition trim (RPM based)
  •     Individual cylinder fuel trim (RPM based)
  •     3D ignition trim maps (coolant and air temp)
  •     VE-based engine startup
  •     Real-time sensor diagnostics
  •     Integrated engine protection strategies
  •     Dual internal wideband controllers
  •     Target Lambda table, 10x10
  •     User adjustable charge temperature blend (CLT/AIT, engine speed dependent)
  •     O2 lean-out protection
  •     Electronic boost control (time based or target based)
  •     Idle control (stepper and pulsewidth)
  •     Programmable traction control, 2-wheel speed or engine acceleration (4-wheel speed with     Advanced Tuning Package)
  •     2-channel adaptive knock control
  •     2-step programmable launch control (3-step with Advanced Tuning Package)
  •     No-lift shifting (Requires Advanced Tuning Package)
  •     User configurable soft-cut rev limiters

... notes from The EDJE