Smart people buy Priuses

Michael Pardee wrote:
> "Jeff DeWitt" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Marc Gerges wrote:
>>> In alt.autos.toyota.prius Jeff DeWitt > wrote:
>>>> And of course you do realize there is a form of hybrid technology that
>>>> has been performing a vital roll in Americas transportation system for
>>>> the last 50 years or so... the diesel locomotive.
>>> Although many diesel locomotive are diesel electric, there's no buffer
>>> battery between the diesel engine and the train. The generator-traction
>>> motor setup is nothing more than the system that transmit power from the
>>> engine to the wheels.
>>>
>>> cu
>>> .\\arc
>> True, but having diesel engines and electric motors meets the dictionary
>> definition of hybrid.
>>
>> "something (as a power plant, vehicle, or electronic circuit) that has two
>> different types of components performing essentially the same function"
>>
>> Both the diesel engine and the electric motors produce mechanical energy
>> sufficient to operate the locomotive... and yes I realize I'm being a bit
>> picky here <G>
>>
>>
>> Jeff DeWitt
>>
> If I'm understanding it right, the electric part is merely a transmission
> rather than a motive source. Oddly, "how stuff works" still refers to it as
> a hybrid system although there is no secondary source of electric power; it
> comes straight from the diesel. The train doesn't move if the engines aren't
> generating power. Now it's my turn to be picky ;-)
> http://travel.howstuffworks.com/diesel-locomotive.htm
>
> Mike
>
>
>
I wonder... In the northeast there are a lot of trains that get their
power from overhead wires. I wonder if any of those locomotives also
have diesel engines to provide power when the overhead lines aren't
available.

Jeff DeWitt

In alt.autos.toyota.prius Jeff DeWitt > wrote:
>>
>> Although many diesel locomotive are diesel electric, there's no buffer
>> battery between the diesel engine and the train. The generator-traction
>> motor setup is nothing more than the system that transmit power from the
>> engine to the wheels.
>>
> True, but having diesel engines and electric motors meets the dictionary
> definition of hybrid.
>
> "something (as a power plant, vehicle, or electronic circuit) that has
> two different types of components performing essentially the same function"
>
> Both the diesel engine and the electric motors produce mechanical energy
> sufficient to operate the locomotive... and yes I realize I'm being a
> bit picky here <G>

No, you're not being picky, you're just wrong <eg>

The diesel is what moves the train. The generator/motor is just the
transmission.

Without the diesel the whole electric setup is worth just as much as a
gearbox without the engine.

cu
.\\arc