Our mode of transportation for the previously mentioned trip to the Frio River was a Toyota Prius. We took the entire trip on less than one tank of gasoline, traveling over 400-miles with just over 9-gallons of standard unleaded gasoline, including local driving near the river and our camp site.
Toyota branded the technology that makes Prius work its magic Hybrid Synergy Drive. Toyota explains the engineering concepts inside of their successful automobile in a dedicated site (silent Flash site).
So simple it's genius, the mechanical power splitter is a fascinating study of kinetics.
With Hybrid Synergy Drive, the standard automobile's multi-gear electronic/manual transmission is replaced by a three-way differential that acts as a continuously variable transmission. Wikipedia explains:
The mechanical connections of the system allow the computer to convert mechanical power from the engine between three forms: extra torque at the wheels (under constant rotation speed), extra rotation speed at the wheels (under constant torque), and electricity.
These hybrid autos are truly a whole new type of machine, disguised as a familiar sedan.
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