GM Hy-wire is world’s first drive-by-wire FCV
- Book ID
- 104433622
- Publisher
- Elsevier Science
- Year
- 2002
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 65 KB
- Volume
- 2002
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 1464-2859
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✦ Synopsis
GM Hy-wire is world's first drive-by-wire FCV General Motors has unveiled the first drivable version of its revolutionary Hy-wire vehicle, the first to combine a hydrogen fuel cell with drive-by-wire technology. The Hy-wire incorporates the features first envisioned in the AUTOnomy concept vehicle just eight months ago, at the 2002 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and the Geneva Motor Show. Hy-wire will be introduced to the public at the Paris Motor Show in late September.
GM designers and engineers in the US developed the chassis and body design, and engineering and electrical system integration. Engineers at GM's German research facility integrated the fuel-cell propulsion system, which is the same as in the HydroGen3 vehicle (top speed of 160 km/h, 97 mph) unveiled at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show. The designers also worked closely with Italian design house Stile Bertone in Turin, where the body was built. The Swedish SKF Group developed the by-wire technology in the Netherlands and in Italy.
'By combining fuel cell and by-wire technology, we've packaged this vehicle in a new way, opening up a new world of chassis architectures and customized bodies for individualized expression,' said Chris Borroni-Bird, director of GM's design & technology fusion group and program director of the Hy-wire concept.
The X-drive allows steering, braking and other systems to be controlled electronically rather than mechanically. The driver accelerates by gently twisting either the right or left handgrip, and brakes by squeezing the brake actuator, also on the handgrips. The handgrips glide up and down for steering. The X-drive, which also incorporates an electronic monitor for vital car functions, shuttles easily from side-to-side. A single docking port provides electrical connection between the all-aluminum chassis and the fiber-glass body.
The fuel cell stack, which produces a continuously available power of 94 kWe, is installed in the back of the chassis. Most of the chassis is 11 inches (28 cm) thick, tapering to 7 inches (18 cm) at the edges. Hydrogen is stored in three ultralightweight, advanced-composite TriShield™ tanks (5000 psi/350 bar) from Quantum Technologies, located centrally in the chassis.
'The new packaging of the components was a major challenge and certainly, in terms of compactness, we're not at the finish line yet,' said Erhard Schubert, director of the GM facility in Mainz-Kastel, Germany. 'But this functional prototype impressively demonstrates just how flexible our fuel cell technology is and the opportunities it offers.'