Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for heating the interior of a motor vehicle capable of being powered by electricity or a liquid fuel. A canister stores vapors released from a vehicle fuel tank, and a heater in communication with the canister burns the vapors stored therein to generate heated exhaust gases. Coolant is circulated between a heating coil where the coolant absorbs heat from the heated exhaust gases and a heater core where at least a portion of the heat absorbed by the coolant is transmitted to the interior of the vehicle. A system controller receives a first input indicating a demand for heat in the interior of the vehicle, a second input indicating the state of charge of an electrical storage battery, and a third input indicating a time interval since the canister was previously purged.

Abstract: An energy management system for a hybrid vehicle having wheels drivingly connected to traction motors, which motors are alternatively energized by an internal combustion engine generator or an electrical storage battery. The system comprises an electrical storage battery, a high voltage electrically heated catalyst (300-400 volts) for treating the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine, a generator driven by the selective operation of the internal combustion engine to energize the traction motors and to sometimes produce electrical energy in excess of that consumed by the traction motors, and a high voltage controller for selectively transferring electrical energy generated by the internal combustion engine generator and the electrical energy produced by the traction motors when driven by the wheels to preferentially the electrically heated catalyst and secondarily to the storage battery.

Abstract: A series hybrid engine has an electric traction motor drive of the vehicle wheels and a regenerative braking system that converts the motor to a generator for the output of useful electrical energy, the latter being used either to charge the storage battery for a power source for the traction motor, or if the battery is charged, diverting the regenerative energy to a resistive heater located in the cooling circuit of an independently operated accessory driving ICE; the resistive heater providing heat to the coolant to preheat the ICE prior to engine start-up; or, alternatively, or concurrently to supply heat to the core of a heater for the passenger compartment of the vehicle, or, to store the heat in a heat battery type reservoir for future use.

Abstract: A cooling system for a hybrid vehicle consisting of an electrical traction motor for driving the vehicle wheels, electrical energy storage and supply means such as a battery or batteries, alternator/generator, or a combination of the two, for supplying the electrical energy to the motor, and an independently operable ICE auxiliary power unit for driving the alternator/generator and charging the battery or batteries; the cooling system not only cooling the motor, but having flow circuits selectively operable to prewarm the ICE prior to engine start-up, to reduce the output of emissions.

Abstract: An engine oil condition sensor which measures oil temperature and the time the engine has been in operation since the last oil change. The sensor determines when the amount of "cold" engine operation exceeds a predetermined portion of the total engine operation in order to warn the operator to change engine operation patterns by providing more operation time at warmer temperatures. The sensor also accumulates the actual time the oil has been in the engine and the time the engine has been operated at elevated "hot" temperatures. Whenever any accumulation exceeds predetermined threshold levels, appropriate warnings are given to the operator.

Abstract: A finger-follower rocker arm type valve train has a finger-follower rocker arm with an upper surface that extends essentially unbroken from end to end with a central area surface for contact with an overhead cam, the central area surface being concave for lubricant retention purposes and having additional lubricant retaining pockets in the surface as reservoirs to maintain lubricant at the surface at all times regardless of the operability of inoperability of the engine camshaft.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for lubrication of the operating components of an internal combustion engine with accelerated heating of the lubricant during engine warmup, comprising (i) a primary circuit for lubricant recirculation including a primary reservoir adapted to receive lubricant drainage from the engine and a primary conduit adapted to return lubricant to the engine, (ii) means for pumping lubricant through the primary conduit to the engine, (iii) means for preheating the lubricant with heat produced by the engine employing a heat exchanger along the primary conduit, and (iv) an auxiliary lubricant reservoir and a return conduit providing fluid communication for the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary reservoir to the primary reservoir. A valve in the return line is controlled to permit flow of lubricant to the primary reservoir in response to a drop in the primary reservoir lubricant level.