Drive system for a motor vehicle

Claim 2

A drive for a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine which is supplied with fossil fuels from a fuel tank by way of a fuel line, characterized in that the fuel tank is operatively connected also with a cracking carburetor means from which a line leads to a hydride storage means which, in turn, is operatively connected with the combustion engine, the combustion engine being operable in areas of high traffic density with at least a hydrogen-fuel-gas mixture as well as with a high excess of air whereas, upon shifting over, it can be operated with fossil fuel and with an air ratio number of about 1 on open highways.

Claim 3

A drive according to claim 1, characterized in that the combustion engine is selectively operable with hydrogen in areas of high traffic density.

Claim 4

A drive according to claim 1, characterized in that one valve means each is arranged in the line connecting the fuel tank with the engine and in the line connecting the cracking carburetor means with the hydride storage means, which are open and closed in the same direction and substantially at the same time.

Claim 5

A drive according to claim 3, characterized in that a water tank is provided which is operatively connected with the cracking carburetor means.

Claim 6

A drive arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the hydride storage means is provided with a heater means.

Claim 7

A drive according to claim 5, characterized in that the hydride storage means is provided with a cooling means.

Claim 8

A drive according to claim 6, characterized in that the heater and cooling means are formed by a reversible heating and cooling system.

Claim 9

A drive according to claim 7, characterized in that the combustion engine is selectively operable with hydrogen in areas of high traffic density.

Claim 10

A drive according to claim 1, characterized in that a water tank is provided which is operatively connected with the cracking carburetor means.

Claim 11

A drive arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydride storage means is provided with a heater means.

Claim 12

A drive according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydride storage means is provided with a cooling means.

Claim 13

A drive arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the hydride storage means is provided with a heater means.

Claim 14

A drive arrangement for motor vehicles, the arrangement comprising: an internal combustion engine operable on hydrogen or fossil fuel, a fossil fuel tank means for accommodating a supply of fossil fuel, a fossil fuel line means for supplying fossil from said fossil fuel tank means to said internal combustion engine, a cracking carburetor means for decomposing hydrocarbons of the fossil fuel into gaseous components, means for supplying air to said cracking carburetor means, means for communicating said fossil fuel tank means with said cracking carburetor means, a hydride storage means for storing a supply of hydrogen, means for communicating said cracking carburetor means with said hydride storage means, means for communicating said hydride storage means with said internal combustion engine, and means for selectively controlling said fuel line means and each of said communicating means such that the internal combustion engine is selectively operable on hydrogen alone, a hydrogen-fossil fuel mixture, or fossil fuel alone.

Claim 15

A drive arrangement for motor vehicles, the arrangement comprising: an internal combustion engine operable on hydrogen or fossil fuel, a fossil fuel tank means for accommodating a supply of fossil fuel, a fossil fuel line means for supplying fossil from said fossil fuel tank means to said internal combustion engine, a cracking carburetor means for decomposing hydrocarbons of the fossil fuel into gaseous components, means for supplying air to said cracking carburetor means, means for communicating said fossil fuel tank means with said cracking carburetor means, a hydride storage means for storing a supply of hydrogen, means for communicating said cracking carburetor means with said hydride storage means, means for communicating said hydride storage means with said internal combustion engine, and means for selectively controlling said fuel line means and each of said communicating means such that the internal combustion engine is selectively operable on hydrogen alone, a hydrogen-fossil fuel mixture, or fossil fuel alone.

Claim 16

An arrangement according to claim 13, further comprising a water tank means for accommodating a supply of water, and means for communicating said water tank means with said cracking carburetor means.

Claim 17

An arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the internal combustion engine when operated on fossil fuel alone operates with an air ratio number of about 1.

Claim 18

An arrangement according to claim 14, wherein means are provided for controlling the supply of air to said cracking carburetor means such that the internal combustion engine is operated with a high excess of air when operating on hydrogen alone.

Claim 19

An arrangement according to claim 14, wherein means are provided for controlling the air supplied to the cracking carburetor means such that the internal combustion engine is operated with a high excess of air when operating on a hydrogen-fossil fuel mixture.

Claim 20

An arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the internal combustion engine when operated on fossil fuel alone operates with an air ratio number of about 1.

Claim 21

An arrangement according to claim 18, further comprising heater means for selectively heating the hydride storage means.

Claim 22

An arrangement according to claim 19, further comprising cooling means for selectively cooling the hydride storage means.

Claim 23

An arrangement according to claim 13, wherein means are provided for controlling the supply of air to said cracking carburetor means such that the internal combustion engine is operated with a high excess of air when operating on hydrogen alone.

Claim 24

An arrangement according to claim 21, further comprising heater means for selectively heating the hydride storage means.

Claim 25

An arrangement according to claim 22, further comprising cooling means for selectively cooling the hydride storage means.

Claim 26

An arrangement according to claim 13, wherein means are provided for controlling the air supplied to the cracking carburetor means such that the internal combustion engine is operated with a high excess of air when operating on a hydrogen-fossil fuel mixture.

Claim 27

An arrangement according to claim 24, further comprising heater means for selectively heating the hydride storage means.

Claim 28

An arrangement according to claim 25, further comprising cooling means for selectively cooling the hydride storage means.