MISSION

SUBMISSION FORM

EDITOR'S NOTE

ABSTRACTS

SCHOLARLY ESSAYS

SHORT STORIES
-Fiction
-Non-Fiction

POETRY

DATABASE

BIOGRAPHIES

PREVIOUS ISSUES

The Tulsa Trio - A 1998 Ford Contour Converted to a Parallel Hybrid Vehicle
Matthew Norris, Master’s Candidate, Mechanical Engineering

Development of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) conversion kit available for today’s cars would offer consumers improved vehicle performance and fuel economy while maintaining the traditional functionality of their ordinary car. In particular, the conversion process of a 1998 Ford Contour (with manual transmission) includes the non-relocation of the engine and transmission, removal of the alternator and accessory battery, design and installation of a compact motor/clutch conversion kit, development of first generation control electronics, and implementation of leading traction battery technology. The motor/clutch conversion kit, nicknamed the TrioDrive, provides additional horsepower and torque while theoretically improving acceleration. The driver can determine the driving modes with the first generation control electronics. Maintenance of the original engine and transmission locations, removal of the alternator and accessory battery, and usage of leading battery technology simplifies the conversion process while saving weight and space. Altogether, the TrioDrive parallel Hybrid Powertrain could be offered as an automotive “aftermarket” consumer product that makes improved fuel economy and performance available to the public.