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I ran across this website of company makes aftermarket products that are coming out on new cars and it looked very interesting. They sell a stop/start add on for cars and a better computer for better fuel efficiency. Not sure what models they make them for yet, it looks like they just have the ideas and are waiting for people to apply them.

http://www.valeo.com/automotive-supplier/Jahia/pid/2

I wonder if GM will sue over patent infringment of their BAS unit?

Can you fid a link to the cost of the systems?

This was the original link I found.

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/07/22/valeo-showcasing-green-at-frankfurt-motor-show/

And it led me to that website. I'll see if I can find prcing somewhere, but I think it's too new for them to even price it yet.

That alternator looks a tad small. But maybe it is made for a 4 cyl or something that doesn't take a lot of effort to start. I think GMs was larger, but it looked prett much the same.

GM's BAS is nothing new. I remember as a child seeing system's like the one on that page in JC whitney catalogs. Ive looked and looked at old back issues and just cant seem to find it. Truth be known I dont think one could really patent hybrid as a whole. Just the controls over all. Hybrid as a whole is IMO common knowledge. Think about it. Everybody would be paying GM/Electromotive for the right to hybrid anything. The theroy and practice of hybrids goes back to the dawn of auto's.

psy

Obviously the hybrid concept can't be patented, However, when you are talking the exact same implantation I think there might be issues.

I came across the start stop system maybe 10-15 years ago on a programme called Tomorrows World. They had a Citroen Saxo(i think) equipped with a flywheel that was also an alternator/starter and a box of electronics that changed between each one depending on the situation. They tested it and when they stopped, the engine went off. Upon pressing the accelerator, the engine just came on. Like you turned up a recording of one on a radio! No starter labouring sounds at all! You'd think something so good (and relatively simple) would have been released before now.