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Tech Talk Archive

Keith Dahl

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Reserved for future use...

ooops I just realized ive been pointing out, at times the wrong dates ( when I thought it was relevant,) as to when people posted, thinking I was updating things. but, I was looking at member join date, not post date. oh well.im sure no one will bite my head off. (except [possibly my neighbors dog)
 

zelio

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I don't mind "older generation." Don't especially like "boomer" either. Just don't call me a "senior." How patronizing.
To each his own. I like senior. Especially when it is attached to the word discount. I have never heard of an older generation discount or a boomer discount. I'm not a boomer but both of my younger sisters are. I have never felt patronized by being called senior. Interesting. :-) Z
 

Kuda

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To each his own. I like senior. Especially when it is attached to the word discount. I have never heard of an older generation discount or a boomer discount. I'm not a boomer but both of my younger sisters are. I have never felt patronized by being called senior. Interesting. :) Z

Just don't call me late for dinner!

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zelio

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10/29/14 Tech Talk - Engine Part 3

Elio Motors Tech Talk v40
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Machining of Individual Components Complete, Engine Prototype Testing Next

In part one of this series on Elio engine development we discussed the need to develop a new engine from the ground up. As we dove deeper into the vehicle’s design, it was clear the Geo Metro engine upon which we hoped to base our design would not provide the right balance of power and fuel economy.

Our engine development partner, IAV, went back to the drawing board and was able to configure a new engine design, while sticking to one of Elio Motors basic tenets for the company – use existing technology, but package it in a way that still meets the company’s performance and fuel efficiency targets. Even though the company is using tried and true technology, we still needed to ensure that each individual component is engineered and machined to rigorous specifications. Each component must be tested and validated individually, then packaged together as one working prototype.

None of this can be done using mass production techniques, so it is one of the more meticulous portions of the vehicle development process. It is also one of the most important portions of the vehicle development process, as the engine is one of the keys to meeting our fuel efficiency and performance criteria. Ultimately, how this engine performs is going to be a crucial element driving our customer satisfaction. Therefore, due diligence and proper development are essential to a successful engine program launch.

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Fig. 1: Elio Finished Machined Block Fig. 2: Elio Finished Machined CAM Cover & Crankshaft

Here is the good news. Approximately 99 percent of the components have been machined and are ready to put together as an engine prototype. Given that this new engine will have dozens of individual parts, this is an important step to define how each component will fit together and how the clearances align to the Computer Aided Design (CAD) components.
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Figure 3: Finished Elio Block

Now that we have the majority of these parts machined, we are ready to put together our first prototype and test it using a dynamometer. The first step before going on a dynamometer will be to make sure the engine is ready to run. This involves making sure the engine spins freely, holds water, does not leak and maintains proper oil pressures. The next step in the process allows us to run the engine through a variety of simulations to test force, power torque and combustion behavior, and test how the Engine Control Unit performs. These simulations will include both city and highway driving conditions to see how the engine performs at various loads.
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Figure 4: Elio Block Assembly

Once this analysis is complete, we can make whatever minor adjustments are needed to ensure each portion of the engine is helping maximize fuel efficiency and power. At that point, we will be very close to having the technical knowledge and feedback to finalize the production intent engine architecture.

Next week, we will take a closer look at the final prototype and the process for testing on the dynamometer.
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Copyright © 2014 Elio Motors, All rights reserved



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zelio

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11/12/14 Tech Talk - Elio's Newest Option
Elio Motors Tech Talk v42
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Elio Motors Teams with Infinite Skyz, Turns Elio into Connected Internet Vehicle

If you’ve followed Tech Talk for a while, you likely know that one of our operating principals is to use off the shelf technology to keep costs down. Of course, some technologies haven’t been available on the shelf for very long, so we might seem like we’re on the cutting edge!

That’s the case with Infinite Skyz, a Houston-based startup that creates, innovates, and delivers products and services incorporating the Internet of Things (IoT) for Industry. The company’s SkyzMatic vehicle connectivity system is, in fact, an off-the-shelf technology. But, some technologies bring a little more “wow” factor than others.

At the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas last week, Elio Motors announced a partnership with Infinite Skyz to make the SkyzMatic system available as an option on the Elio. The SkyzMatic system will provide customers features including in-vehicle VoIP calling and Wi-Fi, remote vehicle monitoring and alarms, remote start and lock/unlock and navigation.
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Figure 1: Mock-up of Elio dashboard with Infinite Skyz functionality.

The connectivity will also provide Bluetooth 4.0, in-vehicle Wi-Fi internet access, camera monitoring and logging, vehicle location monitoring and accelerometer data monitoring.

Vehicle connectivity is predicted to experience explosive growth in the coming decade. According to ABI Research, the number of Internet connected vehicles is expected to top 100 million globally by 2022 and will reach an astounding 500 million by 2036 (We promise to write a follow-up Tech Talk then to check their math!).

Here’s what Paul Elio had to say in our news release announcing the partnership:

“Infinite Skyz and the SkyzMatic system will provide the deepest offering of in-vehicle and remote connectivity services available on the market when we launch in 2015,” Elio said “Our company is focused on revolutionizing the transportation industry, and we are always on the lookout for other innovative partners who can improve our overall customer experience. The SkyzMatic system will provide convenience and peace of mind for our customers and provide another way for Elio to stand out among the competition.”

Elizabeth Drake, Vice President of Infinite Skyz added:

“Internet connectivity for the things we use in our daily lives is set to experience exponential growth in the coming years and we applaud the foresight of Elio Motors to offer this unique technology to their customers,” said Drake. “The information available to Elio owners through the SkyzMatic connectivity will significantly enhance their overall experience with the vehicle through added convenience and safety features. We look forward to rolling out what is certain to be a sought after technology on such a soon-to-be popular vehicle.”

While SkyzMatic is high on the “wow” factor, we aren’t doing it just to be cool. Much of the functionality provides important safety features, such as the ability to track location, mileage and accelerator data, which will be a valuable tool to help parents monitor their children’s driving habits.
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Figure 2: Convenience features such as GPS mapping will be made available by SkyzMatic connectivity.

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Figure 3: Infinite Skyz could provide remote start/stop from an Internet-connected watch.

All of the information provided by the SkyzMatic system will be transmitted directly to an iPad or iPhone. All of the remote features will be transmitted with an iPhone or iWatch. It’s Dick Tracy level technology (okay, okay…we admit it…we did it in part because it’s very cool!).
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Copyright © 2014 Elio Motors, All rights reserved.

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