Hydro Electric Vehicle (HEV) Charging Process
The HEV charging process is a simple system derived from harnessing the natural flow of rivers adjacent to urban areas. This process involves redirecting water, integrating it into urban transit through strategic infrastructure. From higher elevations to city cores, cast-iron pipelines and hydrants play a pivotal role. Understanding this process provides insight into the technology depicted in the novel’s urban settings.
Introduction
The process of charging Hydro Electric Vehicles (HEVs) unveils a refined system harnessed from the natural flow of rivers adjacent to urban areas. These vehicles draw power from water sources integrated into urban transit through strategic positioning of infrastructure. This comprehensive process begins with redirecting water from higher elevations to the heart of cities, where cast-iron pipelines and hydrants play an essential role. Understanding the HEV charging process offers a glimpse into the technology described in the novel’s urban environments.Water Source and Utilization
Rivers adjacent to urban areas serve as the primary source for Hydro Electric Vehicles (HEV) charging. This water is directed through a series of infrastructural adaptations before being reintegrated into the river’s course.Infrastructure and Water Flow
Infrastructure, predominantly concrete, redirects the river’s flow into the urban transit system, leveraging higher points near cities. This system guides the water from open-air channels to underground mains and cast-iron pipes within the city’s core.City Integration and Hydrants
Cast-iron pipes are laid underground to form a network connecting above-ground hydrants in residential and park areas. The water pressure gradually escalates as it progresses through these channels, eventually driving powerful water jets from the hydrants.Hydroelectric Power Generation
The forceful water jets from the hydrants are used to drive turbines in hydroelectric vehicles, enabling the vehicles to charge. Once used, the water cycles back into the hydrant and eventually re-enters the river’s course.Water Flow Characteristics
The water inside the main line, known as TC (transportation “water” current), continually runs parallel to the river’s flow, contrasting with the potable water line, which runs only during consumption.Visual animation
The visual animations depicting the hydroelectric vehicle charging process is segmented into two sections for enhanced clarity. One section provides the hydrant perspective, while the other offers the vehicle perspective. Each segment features a pair of images positioned side by side, facilitating the illustration of differences in their main components at each stage.Hydrant Perspective
Within this segment, the animated images provide a cross-sectional view of the infrastructure, emphasizing the water trajectory from pipes to the vehicle and back through the hydrant, hoses, and connectors. Additionally, it illustrates the two possible positions of the hydrant: open and closed.
The images below showcase various components of the hydrant system. Black bars denote pipe walls, with a blue gradient indicating water flow from left to right. The red signifies the hydrant body, while light grey represents the hollow cavity leading to nozzles. The dark grey line represents the elongated bolt, and the orange indicates the plunger for diverting water. A red rectangle symbolizes the faceplate connector on the vehicle’s side, and mid-gray lines depict connecting hoses. The green gradient showcases water flow out of the HEV, creating a reverse path.
Hydrant Closed
This image showcases the plunger in a position that obstructs the water passage to the hydrant, directing it straight into the pipe downstream. With the plunger in this position, the hydrant is closed.
Hydrant Open
Here, the plunger is positioned to interrupt the water flow within the pipe, redirecting it upwards into the hydrant along a new trajectory. In this configuration, the hydrant is open.
Legend
| Color | Part | |
|---|---|---|
 | Black | Water pipe |
 | Red | Hydrant and Faceplate |
 | Grey Dark | Connector and Bolt |
 | Grey Mid | Fabric hose |
 | Grey Light | Hollow cavity |
 | Orange | Plunger |
 | Blue Grad. | Incoming Water |
 | Green Grad. | Outgoing Water |
Vehicle Perspective
This section features images from the vehicle perspective, offering a top view of the hydro vehicle. It highlights the water trajectory through the vehicle’s integrated tubes, turbine, and connectors. Additionally, it visualizes the flow of electric current in the dynamo, battery, and motor, portraying kinetic energy propelling through the wheels and axles. The animation further displays essential indicators like battery level, shifting gear mechanism, and overall vehicle status.
The images below highlight various components of the Hydrant For Electric Vehicle (HEV). The black bars represent the vehicle frame, while the four dark grey rectangles depict the tires. The elongated red rectangle signifies the faceplate and connectors in mid-grey. Light grey bars indicate empty tubes and inactive electric wires. The blue and green gradient illustrates the directional flow of water entering and exiting the vehicle. Positioned from left to right at the center are the turbine, battery, and electric motor. Red and black gradients showcase the electricity flow, while the grey gradient represents motion in the tires and wheel shaft. Displays in the image include, from top left clockwise, the vehicle status, battery level, and gear shifting.
Vehicle Charging
In this frame, shifting into park mode (“P”), the vehicle is strategically parked in proximity to a hydrant, establishing a connection through hoses and quick connectors. Water seamlessly enters the vehicle’s tubing, traverses the turbine, and exits, forming a continuous water circuit. The kinetic energy from water rotation in the turbine activates the dynamo, generating electricity. The battery efficiently stores this electricity, ensuring power for the motor when the vehicle is operational at a later time.
Observations:
- The vehicle status display is red with a flashing “Charging” label.
- The battery display is increasingly lit, indicating the ongoing charging process.
- The axle and wheels are solid gray, denoting the stationary state of the vehicle.
- Tubes and turbine exhibit blue and green gradients, signifying the flow of water.
- The gear display shows the letter “P” for parking.
- The electric motor is gray, illustrating it is turned off and not operational.
- Wires from the dynamo to the battery exhibit a red gradient, showcasing the flow of electricity.
- Wires from the battery to the motor are gray, denoting no electricity flow.
- Hoses and quick connectors are visible near the faceplate connector, demonstrating the vehicle’s connection to the hydrant.
Vehicle Ready!
Upon completion of the charging process, the vehicle disengages from the hydrant, and its battery is fully recharged. Shifting into drive mode (“D”), the stored electricity in the battery seamlessly powers the motor. The motor, in turn, propels the driving shaft and wheels, setting the vehicle in motion. The vehicle continues to move until the battery is depleted, signaling readiness for another charging cycle.
Observations:
- The vehicle status display is blue with a solid “Ready!” label.
- The battery display appears dimmed, indicating its usage and discharge.
- The axle and wheels show a black gradient, representing the vehicle’s movement.
- Tubes and turbine are gray, indicating they are empty with no water flow.
- The gear display shows the letter “D” selected, symbolizing the vehicle in driving mode.
- The electric motor exhibits a red gradient, signifying its operation and production of work.
- Wires from the turbo-dynamo to the battery are gray, denoting no electricity flow.
- Wires from the battery to the motor display a red gradient, indicating the flow of electricity.
- Quick connectors and hoses are not visible near the faceplate connector, confirming the vehicle is disconnected from the hydrant.
Legend
| Part | Description | |
|---|---|---|
 | Turbo-Dynamo | Generates electricity |
 | Electric Motor | Propels the vehicle |
 | Battery | Stores electricity |
 | Status Display | Shows vehicle status |
 | Gearshift Display | Shows gear selection |
 | Battery Display | Shows battery level |
Conclusion
In conclusion the Hydro Electric Vehicle charging system encapsulates a straightforward designed cycle, where water becomes an efficient energy source for urban transit. From its origin in adjacent rivers to its redirection into a network of cast-iron pipelines and eventually the powerful jets from hydrants, this process powers vehicles while mirroring the natural course of water.