Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ford Motor Company Limited

Bradford Bates

Richard C Belaire

Craig Hammann Stephan

Allan Roy Gale

Rodney John Tabaczynski

Richard Eugene Baker

Wolfram Buschhaus

Ronald I Sims

A system for fueling an automotive vehicle includes a transmitter mounted on the vehicle for identifying the type of fuel required by the vehicle and a fuel control and communication subsystem providing fuel which is blended to achieve the characteristics called for by the vehicle mounted transmitter.

Automotive vehicle fueling system

An electric propulsion system for a vehicle having an electric drive motor. A generator supplies electric current to the motor. A dual shaft turbine engine having a compressor and a gasifier coupled with a first shaft and a power turbine, flywheel and generator coupled to a second shaft provide electric current to the electric drive motor. The first and second drive shafts are uncoupled and are allowed to spin independently of one another. Exhaust gases from the gasifier turn the power turbine, thus the turning power turbine turns the generator and flywheel as a unit.

Hybrid electric propulsion system using a dual shaft turbine engine

A hybrid powertrain for an automotive vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine and transmission assembly providing a first selectably shiftable geared torque flow path to vehicle traction wheels and an electric motor-generator unit defining a second geared torque flow path that is located between the output of the first geared torque flow path and the traction wheels. Through the deployment of an appropriate control system, including the necessary control algorithms, the electric motor-generator unit can be operated to supply torque to the traction wheels while the torque flow in the first torque flow path is interrupted during the occurrence of a ratio change in the transmission assembly and during disengagement of a clutch. Because of this interactive control of two power sources, the vehicle driveability can be enhanced along with an improvement of the engine exhaust gas emissions. In addition, the electric motor-generator unit in the second torque flow path can be used to launch the vehicle electrically immediately upon request of the operator. This ability of the powertrain permits engine-off operation during vehicle coast-down and standstill periods without any loss of driveability. During electric launch of the vehicle, the interactive control of the two power sources permits the internal combustion engine to be restarted and then gradually take over the propulsion task from the electric motor-generator unit.

Parallel hybrid powertrain for an automotive vehicle

A power turbine/flywheel assembly for use in a dual shaft turbine engine having a compressor and a gasifier coupled to a first shaft. The assembly includes a second shaft that is uncoupled from the first shaft and is allowed to rotate independently of the first shaft. First and second power turbine blades are attached concentrically about and are directly coupled to the second shaft. A flywheel is directly attached concentrically about the second shaft. The flywheel is positioned between the first and second turbine blades. The first and second power turbine blades and the flywheel rotate as a unit about the second shaft.

Power turbine flywheel assembly for a dual shaft turbine engine

A hybrid drive system for use in an electric vehicle comprising an electric motor generator for moving the vehicle, plural electrical energy sources in electric contact with electric motor/generator and a control source in electrical contact with the plural electrical energy sources include a variable-rate energy storage system, a low-rate energy storage system and a high-rate energy storage system. In operation, the control source determines the average power consumption of the vehicle during emission operation throughout its ongoing duty cycle and controls the extent to which each of the energy sources energizes the electric motor/generator to move the vehicle, such that the vehicle may be efficiently operated in both emission and non-emission modes in accordance with environmental restrictions and operator-imposed power demands.

Hybrid drive system

A multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having valve train operated intake and exhaust valves for each cylinder and a valve control system adding the capability of automatic selection as to whether or not given cylinders are to be in operation. The application of the system to a V-8 engine, for example, to permit selection between four cylinder operation or eight cylinder operation may be summarized as follows: The cylinders that are to be controlled are identified and movable interposers are installed for both the intake and exhaust valves of the selected cylinders. Control rods interconnect intake interposers to each other and exhaust interposers to each other. A combined actuation arm and interconnection link is provided to transfer motion from a selection actuator to the control rods. A mechanical interlock ensures that exhaust valves are not deactivatable until deactivation of the intake occurs. More specifically, the control mechanism is operatively associated with the fulcrum of the rocker arm in each of the valve trains controlling the intake and exhaust valves for the selected cylinders. Control of the operation of a given valve is accomplished by moving an interposer into a gap between a fulcrum load transfer tube and a load bearing plate. In this position the interposer prevents movement of the fulcrum and the rocker arm motion is transferred to the valve as in normal operation. With the interposer out of position, the load transfer tube is free to travel, the fulcrum will move up and down on the fulcrum support but the valve will remain stationary.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Bradford Bates