Hybrid motor unit with energy storage

Claim 2

An engine unit comprising an internal combustion engine, an air compressor requiring a mean power input substantially less than the maximum power output of the engine, a hot-air turbine having a maximum power output substantially greater than the maximum power output of the engine, gear boxes matching the outputs of the engine and the turbine to a common load, an air receiver connected to recieve air from the compressor, means transmitting power from the engine to the compressor, valve means connected between the receiver and the turbine to deliver air from the one to the other, means to open said valve means in response to an acceleration requirement of the load, and a heat exchanger defining separate thermally contacting passages connected respectively between the receiver and the turbine and between the engine and an exhaust outlet whereby to recuperate heat from the exhaust gases of the engine and deliver it to air passing from the receiver to the turbine.

Claim 3

An engine unit according to claim 1, wherein the engine unit is provided with means to supply a fuel/air mixture having a predetermined air/fuel ratio greater than stoichiometric.

Claim 4

An engine unit according to claim 2, wherein the engine unit is provided with means to supply a gasoline/air mixture containing approximately 13% surplus air.

Claim 5

An engine unit according to claim 1, comprising an electric motor in driving connection with the compressor, supply means comprising a storage battery and a generator in driving connection with the engine, and control means responsive to the pressure in the receiver to place the motor in connection with the supply means.

Claim 6

An engine unit according to claim 1 wherein an overrun clutch is inserted between the turbine and the load.

Claim 7

An engine unit according to claim 1 wherein the valve means is between the receiver and the heat exchanger.

Claim 8

An engine unit according to claim 1, wherein the compressor and receiver are constructed to enable the receiver to store air at a pressure much greater than that required to operate the turbine.

Claim 9

An engine unit according to claim 7, wherein the valve is disposed to supply air progressively to a plurality of nozzle sets comprised by the turbine, and to reduce the pressure of the air to that required to operate the turbine.

Claim 10

An engine unit according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger has a substantial thermal storage capacity.

Claim 11

An engine unit according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is heat insulated.

Claim 12

An engine unit according to claim 1, wherein the maximum power output of the turbine is at least double that of the engine.

Claim 13

An engine unit according to claim 11, wherein the maximum power outut of the turbine is 4-6 times that of the engine.

Claim 14

An engine unit according to claim 1, wherein the engine is a single cylinder engine.

Claim 15

In a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine having an induction system and an exhaust system, driving wheels, and a drive train connecting the engine to the driving wheels and including a change speed gearbox and a final drive, the improvement wherein there is provided a hot air turbine having a maximum power output substantially greater than said engine, geared transmission means connecting said turbine to said final drive, a receiver for compressed air, means to sense an acceleration demand of the vehicle, valve means to admit air from said receiver to said turbine in response to the output of said sensing means, a heat exchanger connected between said receiver and said turbine to recuperate heat from said exhaust system and transmit it to air from said receiver, a compressor to supply air to said receiver, and electric motor in driving connection with the compressor, supply means comprising a storage battery and a generator in driving connection with the engine, and control means responsive to the pressure in the receiver to place the motor in connection with the supply means.

Claim 16

In a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine having an induction system and an exhaust system, driving wheels, and a drive train connecting the engine to the driving wheels and including a change speed gearbox and a final drive, the improvement wherein there is provided a hot air turbine having a maximum power output substantially greater than said engine, geared transmission means connecting said turbine to said final drive, a receiver for compressed air, means to sense an acceleration demand of the vehicle, valve means to admit air from said receiver to said turbine in response to the output of said sensing means, a heat exchanger connected between said receiver and said turbine to recuperate heat from said exhaust system and transmit it to air from said receiver, a compressor to supply air to said receiver, and electric motor in driving connection with the compressor, supply means comprising a storage battery and a generator in driving connection with the engine, and control means responsive to the pressure in the receiver to place the motor in connection with the supply means.

Claim 17

In a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine having an induction system and an exhaust system, driving wheels, and a drive train connecting the engine to the driving wheels and including a change speed gearbox and a final drive, the improvement wherein there is provided a hot air turbine having a maximum power output substantially greater than said engine, geared transmission means connecting said turbine to said final drive, a receiver for compressed air, means to sense an acceleration demand of the vehicle, valve means to admit air from said receiver to said turbine in response to the output of said sensing means, a heat exchanger connected between said receiver and said turbine to recuperate heat from said exhaust system and transmit it to air from said receiver, primary and auxiliary compressors to supply air to said receiver, and means to transmit part of the energy from the engine to drive the primary compressor, the auxiliary compressor being in driving connection with the vehicle wheels to recuperate kinetic energy from the vehicle during deceleration of the latter.

Claim 18

In a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine having an induction system and an exhaust system, driving wheels, and a drive train connecting the engine to the driving wheels and including a change speed gearbox and a final drive, the improvement wherein there is provided a hot air turbine having a maximum power output substantially greater than said engine, geared transmission means connecting said turbine to said final drive, a receiver for compressed air, means to sense an acceleration demand of the vehicle, valve means to admit air from said receiver to said turbine in response to the output of said sensing means, a heat exchanger connected between said receiver and said turbine to recuperate heat from said exhaust system and transmit it to air from said receiver, primary and auxiliary compressors to supply air to said receiver, and means to transmit part of the energy from the engine to drive the primary compressor, the auxiliary compressor being in driving connection with the vehicle wheels to recuperate kinetic energy from the vehicle during deceleration of the latter.