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High gas prices, environmental concerns and the wobbly auto industry asking for loans to build batteries, is the solution anywhere in sight? But Ford's engineers had an insight about 50 years ago in the form of the Nucleon concept, a car to be driven by nuclear power.
The concept car designed by Ford in 1958 was very different. Instead of an internal-combustion automobile engine, a tiny nuclear reactor was to be installed towards the rear of the vehicle. Further, a power capsule was to be placed between twin booms at the rear containing radioactive core for power. And when it ran out of fuel it could simply be replaced to recharge the car. On an average the car could travel 8000 km (5,000 miles) or even more depending on the size of the core.
The car would be steam driven, with one turbine to power the motion and the other to drive an electrical generator. The used up steam would be cooled and recirculated into the system. And the powertrain and transmission would be integral to the power module, while the electronic torque converters would be installed in the place of the drive-train in use at the time.
Such a nuclear powered car could outlast any conventional battery. And being run on steam, there won't be problems of emission too. No noise pollution or anything. A great automobile for a concept for sure. However, it never became a reality because the nuclear reactors of those times were a great deal bulkier to be fitted into a car.
The concept car designed by Ford in 1958 was very different. Instead of an internal-combustion automobile engine, a tiny nuclear reactor was to be installed towards the rear of the vehicle. Further, a power capsule was to be placed between twin booms at the rear containing radioactive core for power. And when it ran out of fuel it could simply be replaced to recharge the car. On an average the car could travel 8000 km (5,000 miles) or even more depending on the size of the core.
The car would be steam driven, with one turbine to power the motion and the other to drive an electrical generator. The used up steam would be cooled and recirculated into the system. And the powertrain and transmission would be integral to the power module, while the electronic torque converters would be installed in the place of the drive-train in use at the time.
Such a nuclear powered car could outlast any conventional battery. And being run on steam, there won't be problems of emission too. No noise pollution or anything. A great automobile for a concept for sure. However, it never became a reality because the nuclear reactors of those times were a great deal bulkier to be fitted into a car.
1 comments:
I love that a concept car can be a well-thought-out vehicle, with vision for the future. Back in the 50's, this truly seemed possible. While we don't think this far ahead these days, our concept vehicles now are still cars of the future, based on the difference between what's revealed at auto shows and what actually goes into production. It gives a little play into the design, and it keeps the creative juices flowing!
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