Combustion Engine (epo/jpo) Patents (Class 903/905)
  • Publication number: 20080017427
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle control apparatus includes an engine, a motor, first and second engaging elements, an input rotational speed and a controller. The first engaging element is arranged between the engine and the motor to selectively connect and disconnect the engine and the motor. The second engaging element is arranged between the motor and a drive wheel to selectively connect and disconnect the motor and the drive wheel. The input rotational speed detecting section is configured to detect an input rotational speed of the second engaging element corresponding to a rotational speed of the motor. The controller is configured to determine whether the second engaging element is seized based on the input rotational speed when a disengagement command or a slip engagement command has been issued to the second engaging element and a drive force of at least one of the engine and the motor has been changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun NAKANOWATARI
  • Publication number: 20080011529
    Abstract: The invention proposes a hybrid drive for a vehicle with a power train, which has a first electric machine (4), which is permanently connected to an input shaft (3) of the vehicle transmission (2) arranged between an internal combustion engine (1) and a vehicle transmission (2) with changeable gear ratio, and which can be operated as an engine or as a generator, and a hydraulic pump (5) for the vehicle transmission (2), in which at least one first shiftable clutch device (7) is arranged between the internal combustion engine (1) and the vehicle transmission (2), and in which the hydraulic pump (5) is torque-proof connected to the input shaft (3) of the vehicle transmission (2). A hybrid drive is also proposed, which comprises two electric machines, in which the hydraulic pump (5) is coupled via at least one element for force transfer to the input shaft (3) of the vehicle transmission (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus HOHER, Linus Eschenbeck
  • Patent number: 7235322
    Abstract: A mixture of a fuel gas obtained by vaporizing hydrocarbon and air is burned in an engine 11 to generate mechanical power. The fuel gas obtained by reforming the hydrocarbon is supplied to a fuel electrode layer of a fuel cell module 13 in which plural electric power generating cells each including a solid electrolyte layer, and a fuel electrode layer and an air electrode layer disposed on both sides thereof are laminated, and the air or oxygen is supplied to the air electrode layer, so that the fuel cell module 13 is constructed to be capable of generating electric power at 930° C. or lower. One of or both of mechanical power generated by the engine 11 and electric power generated by the fuel cell module 13 are outputted. As a raw material of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell module, gasoline, light oil or the like which can be supplied in a normal gasoline station can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Akikusa, Hoshino Koji
  • Patent number: 7174978
    Abstract: A hybrid drive unit including a first motor, a first planetary gear and a second motor, wherein the first planetary gear distributes and transmits a drive force transmitted from an input shaft to the first motor and an output shaft, a power output from the output shaft and the second motor are synthesized and the first motor and the first planetary gear are housed in a transmission case with the second motor spaced from the transmission case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Taniguchi, Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Kozo Yamaguchi, Kazuhisa Ozaki, Takeshi Inuzuka, Satoru Wakuta
  • Patent number: 7104349
    Abstract: A Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engine is used in conjunction with a hybrid powertrain. Power production from the HCCI engine in operation may be decoupled from, or assisted in, responding to driver power demand. In this manner, the HCCI engine: (i) is relieved from the need to quickly adapt to changes in driver power demand, and/or (ii) is allowed to more slowly transition between power levels reflective of the vehicle power demands, with a secondary power source providing the more immediate power response to driver demands. In addition, driver power demand greater than what can be provided by the HCCI engine may preferably be met through the addition of power from the powertrain's reversible secondary power source (e.g. one or more reversible electric motor/generator(s) or reversible hydraulic pump/motor(s)), thereby avoiding the need for full load operation by the HCCI engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventor: Charles L. Gray, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6271814
    Abstract: A dual message advertising display system having a variable electronic display and a fixed printed display formed on a shared display screen. The display screen includes fixed information printed thereon, such as an advertisement, logo, or other message. The display screen further includes a plurality of apertures formed there through to provide visual access to an electronic display positioned behind the display screen. The apertures are formed a predetermined spacing apart from each other so that the fixed information printed on the display screen remains easily perceivable and non-distorted to an onlooker. The predetermined spacing of the apertures is also selected to cause the message appearing on the electronic display to obscure the fixed printed information on the display by causing the onlooker to focus upon the electronic display message when activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Andy K. F. Kaoh