Patent · US Active

Operating a vehicle with high fuel efficiency

US7607503B1 · kind B1 · utility

50Cited by
10References
16Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 3, 2006
Grant dateOct 27, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 22, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T90/16
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

High vehicle fuel efficiency is achieved by reducing fuel consumption during driving both in the city and on the highway. During driving in the city, the system accumulates the energy derived from vehicle motion during braking, and uses it to assist in vehicle propulsion at a later time. The energy can be stored either in a compressed-air reservoir or in an electric battery. During cruising on the highway, the engine operates in a two-stage gas-expansion cycle. The engine has primary and secondary cylinders. Only primary cylinders operate in internal-combustion mode. After expansion in primary cylinders, combustion gas is subjected to a second stage of expansion in secondary cylinders. This substantially improves the engine efficiency. Whenever heavy engine load is needed, all cylinders operate in internal-combustion mode.

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