AirShip Technologies Group

Don't Tell Us We Can't Change The World!

Why a Delorean Conversion?

If you are going to build a time machine into a car why not do it with some style?  Many remember this line in “Back to the Future”, but that’s not the reason we are focused on the Delorean as the first demonstration of green sustainability based on Track Sphere drive trains and hybrid fuel technologies.  Frankly, the Delorean seems to fit the opportunity.  The chassis uses a fishbone layout with a "Y" shape at either end, perfect for Track Sphere adoption.  The relatively small size and low profile is aerodynamic and competitive with other Automotive X PRIZE competitor teams.

Our project team has made some recent decisions based on the need to start vehicle construction right away.  It involves mating the AirShip's green technology innovation and hybrid technologies to a Delorean.  We are now working with Delorean One, which has been one of our advisors from the start and the owner whom we have known for 27 years.  We are now discussing what it will take to make the Delorean conversion and modifications.

AirShipTG has announced the need to switch from concept vehicle planning to actual car production.  See our plans for the AirShipTG's entry on our Delorean ATG Gallery and the Delorean Vehicle Specification.  We chose to introduce the AirShip core competencies into the Delorean, because the car had a good configuration for our green energy efficient solutions and the competitive recognition of the Delorean itself!  

As a business model, our Track Spheres mated to hybrid energy sources (combination of electric and bio-diesel) should allow us to meet our target miles traveled of 400 miles on one full charge.  Battery power alone is targeted to deliver 240 miles; supplemental bio-diesel power generates enough added electricity for an additional target of 160 miles.  This is more than competitive to win the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE and contribute to green sustainability and reduction of green house gases!   Proving the Track Sphere's efficiency and sustainability for magnetic-electric-motor based drive trains will allow AirShipTG to market our US patent-pending Track Sphere Wheel Assembly configuration and design technology to other vehicle manufacturers.

In April, AirShipTG will undergo engineering workshop think tanks at TRIZCON where they will help us finalize three things.

Our US patent pending for the Track Sphere Wheel Assembly has the following claims:

  1.  A means of moving a transportation vehicle in any 360-degree direction along a roadway.
  2. A means to directly move 90-degrees left or right from vehicle center for lateral parking of a vehicle.
  3.  A means to replace heavy drive trains with light weight computer controlled drive-by-wire Track Spheres that use magnetic-levitation, electric motors and induction coils to regenerate electricity and maneuver a vehicle.
  4.  An automotive wheel and spherical tire combination for replacement of today's separate vehicle wheels and tires.
  5.  A ground transit Track Sphere Assembly that does not go flat when punctured.
  6. A chassis assembly hub which holds the Track Sphere in place and allows motion in all directions of Claim #1.

Ben Berry was the TRIZCON keynote speaker on the last day of the conference presenting Open Technology Engineering.  Berry presented the key note address  for TRIZCON at ALTSHULLER INSTITUTE FOR TRIZ STUDIES on "Competitive Innovation Engineering"   on 12-15 April 2008 at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.

We continue to seek contributions both monetary and project team in-kind support, so let us know your thoughts.  Here's the video coverage of the Announcement Press Conference at the New York Auto Show: Part One; Part Two; and Part Three

      The Delorean passenger cage was originally designed for safety in a crash as demonstrated in the safety crash tests.  Many of the certifications required by AXP, can be documented with previous passing scores.  Certifications exist for several components of the Delorean including safety glass, external lights, crash tests including bumper tests as introduced in 1981.

Bottom line, AirShipTG can now concentrate on those conversions of the car that are green technology based.  Track Sphere development, construction and testing can be performed.  Full braking and regenerative braking can be perfected.  Regenerative drive with Mini Generator Turbines can be perfected.  Solar Fabric can be installed and segmented as a supplemental energy source for onboard electronics.

          Delorean ATG (AirShip Technologies Group)

Dual Lithium-ion Battery Packs.   With Lithium-ion battery packs, the Delorean AGT replaces its V6 engine location with a robust and rechargeable power plant.  Using hydraulic lifts, we stack the Lithium-ion packs for ease of service and distributed air cooling.  A battery to cooling fan and air intake design is absolutely necessary for more efficient cooling.  With the Delorean ATG air cooling and dual stack Lithium-ion Batteries, the target miles-traveled range on one full electric charge is�� miles, more than competitive for the field of electric vehicles.  Additionally, we are targeting 3.5 to 4 hours for a full electric recharge from home or the office.

Regenerative Braking.  Once reversed for deceleration, the Delorean ATG braking will be performed by Track Sphere motors acting as very efficient electrical generators.  Synchronized reversing of each forward and aft motor returns almost all of the energy generated back to the Lithium-ion battery system.  Serving the Green Agenda, this safe dual-circuit approach restores energy during vehicle braking instead of the lost of heat energy as seen in traditional brake systems.  Because Track Spheres are in constant computer control, ABS is also possible while accelerating and decelerating.  Because the Track Sphere assemblies include high performance motors, ABS is built into each Track Sphere software.  Anti-skid is applied to acceleration since the motors scan smoothly control torque delivery to/from the road in both cases.  Flooring the brake or accelerator hard results in controlled maximum torque, giving the shortest possible stopping or acceleration time.

Track Spheres are in constant communication with each other deciding 1,000 times each second how much torque share is optimum for current driving conditions.  Should one Track Sphere detect a slippery surface and take appropriate anti-skid actions, the other spheres will be made aware of this instantly and adopt an appropriate compensating strategy to keep the vehicle as stable as possible.

The vehicle can be recharged by low cost main electricity plug-in from home or alternative locations while at rest.   This reduces the concern about battery capacity limits or how to recharge.  During vehicle operation with battery levels falling, the bio-diesel motor/generator cuts in.  This enables sustained highway speeds and an overall top end speed target of 125 to135 mph with no further battery depletion.

Regenerative Drive.  The Track Sphere Assembly contains the Sphere and a frame that supports a balanced placement by 24 large ball bearings (4 ball bearings on each of the assembly’s 6 sides).  The ball bearings are precision fit into the assembly frame and rests on anti-rust and glide-free track sphere rings.  With the 24 ball bearings, the inner position of the assembly holds in balance the large sphere.  The Delorean ATG’s weight is equally distributed across each of the Track Sphere assemblies.  The outer position of each ball bearing is covered by and engaged with a mini-electric generator device called Regenerative Drive Mini Generator Turbines.  During Track Sphere motion, the mini-electric generators restore energy and return it to the battery system.  Regenerative drive serves to replenish electricity to the battery system and the 24 accumulative turbines can a mass a sustainable reservoir of energy.

Solar Fabric.  Solar Fabric will serve as Delorean ATG’s exterior covering source for the rear window louvers and is considered green house gas friendly.  Thin-film photovoltaic (PV) materials and modules will be used to generate the electrical power to help propel the vehicle or as an additional power source for onboard electronics. Thin film photovoltaic power offers unique advantages over earlier solar cell product generations and other comparable technologies in the marketplace.  For example, some manufacturers of solar fabric are creating it in large roll formats at the module level using proprietary monolithic laser-patterned cell integration processes that enable individual solar cells to be interconnected during production. Innovations like this eliminate time-intensive cell-to-cell connections and assembly operations required with other technologies to build up modules. Modules are produced on durable, light weight plastic in contrast to first generation products on metal foils that were developed over 12 years ago. The plastic substrate materials result in extremely high specific power levels, compactness and flexibility that enable the products to be configured into a wide variety of rolls, foldable packs, or traditional module formats.  The roll formats could allow for direct integration into the external window louver surface of the Delorean ATG, significantly reducing the number of modules required for a typical application.