Patent · US Expired

Hybrid drive and operating method therefor

US5785136A · kind A · utility

42Cited by
2References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 15, 1996
Grant dateJul 28, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 15, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S123/12
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The hybrid drive arrangement according to the invention has a thermal engine that can be operated on a fuel containing hydrocarbons and capable of generating hydrogen. A storage device is provided for the fuel, with an energy storage device for the energy generated by the thermal engine. A drive motor is supplied, depending on the operating state, by the energy from the thermal engine and/or the energy storage device, as well as a method for operation thereof. A hydrogen-generating unit connected to receive fuel from the fuel storage and generates hydrogen from the fuel. The thermal engine is designed for optional operation on the fuel that can be supplied from the storage device or on the hydrogen that is generated. According to the method, the thermal engine is operated in a higher driving load range on the fuel containing the hydrocarbons and on the hydrogen in a lower driving load range, as well as during starting and warmup, at a stationary emission-minimizing operating point, with any remaining power requirement being covered by the energy storage device.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.