Patent · US Expired

Vehicle operating method and system

US6223846A · kind A · utility

114Cited by
13References
51Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 15, 1998
Grant dateMay 1, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 15, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T10/62
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and a system for converting kinetic energy of a vehicle and part of energy supplied by its engine into energy of compressed air and using it to assist in vehicle propulsion later. A novel system of valves employing variable valve timing and valve deactivation is used to implement and control a two-way flow of compressed air between the engine and an air-reservoir where air-temperature control is maintained. During operation with compressed-air assist the engine operates both as an air-motor and as an internal combustion engine during each cycle in each cylinder. The engine can selectively and interchangeably operate either as a four-stroke or as a two-stroke internal combustion engine.

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