Automaker generally patent a single farfetched know-how to guard an concept. But describing an unorthodox car system with a number of uncommon traits is way from the norm. That’s what Ferrari did with this recent patent application, which is excessive, to say the least.
The doc itself is titled “CAR PROVIDED WITH A HYDROGEN-POWERED INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE,” however it’s really solely one among a number of paperwork that describe various unorthodox programs for a possible sports activities automobile. All of the patents are purposes within the EU and US in the mean time. They all share a single credited inventor: Fabrizio Favaretto. According to his LinkedIn, Favaretto has been employed by Ferrari for twenty-four years, at the moment holding the title of “Vehicle and Powertrain Architectures Innovation Manager.”
The paperwork describe a hybrid sports activities automobile related in primary configuration to the Corvette E-Ray. Engine on the again, electrical motor up entrance. But that is the place the similarities finish. The precise electrical traction system on the entrance axle will not be described in nice element. At least, not within the paperwork I learn. The rear-mounted engine and transaxle are the centerpiece.
The combustion engine is, within the major embodiment, an inline-six fueled by hydrogen fuel. It’s an inline engine as a result of that configuration supplies room for hydrogen tanks on both aspect of it. The engine can also be mounted the other way up, i.e., the crankshaft is on the highest level of the engine whereas the cylinder head sits straight above the highway.
The logic behind that is that the transaxle can now be positioned greater up on the engine, which implies a extra aggressive diffuser might be put in in the back of the automobile. Some World War II fighter plane had upside-down engines like this, so it is not utterly exceptional.
The similar aggressive diffuser could be potential with out this uncommon association, however the car could be for much longer—and the doc insists a brief wheelbase is essential.
It’s all finest described by this picture:
Figure 75 refers back to the floor of the car’s rear diffuser, whereas 69 describes the differential output shaft’s location.
The quirks do not finish there. The engine options compelled induction, that is for sure, however the patent describes a number of strategies wherein this compelled induction could also be achieved. In one embodiment, it consists of two centrifugal compressors mounted coaxially to both aspect of a single electrical motor.
The power to drive the compressors electrically could be generated beneath braking by the entrance drive unit, and though the phrase “battery” will not be talked about within the paperwork I learn, it should be assumed that one could be used to retailer this power.
Another embodiment places the 2 compressors in a unique association however nonetheless drives them with an electrical motor. Another describes an MGU-H kind system with an exhaust fuel turbine able to recovering electrical power to drive a number of compressors. The closing iteration, as I perceive it, ditches all method of electrical energy, as a substitute tapping energy from one of many dual-clutch transmission’s shafts to drive a number of mechanical superchargers straight. In this embodiment, there could also be a transmission between the DCT and the supercharger to allow variable speeds. Multiple varieties of potential transmission are described. I’m not kidding.
One would possibly fear in regards to the potential serviceability of an upside-down engine, however the patent addresses these issues. The oil and coolant pumps are all pushed from the camshafts, as an illustration, which locations them on the backside of the engine in straightforward attain of technicians. A portion of the diffuser can also be an engine cowl, and it may be eliminated to entry important elements.
Ferrari’s system is, briefly, a supercharged, hydrogen-combustion, inline-six, all-wheel-drive, hybrid sports activities automobile. Subject to vary primarily based on regardless of the mad scientists at Maranello assume works finest.
Another publication, Autoguide, coated this patent in a skeptical, arguably adverse method. In its personal phrases, the outlet described the know-how as “unholy,” and “sacrilege” for a model similar to Ferrari to think about. Entertainingly, Favaretto himself then appeared on Linkedin, the place the article was shared by an affiliate of his, to defend the concepts.
The upside-down inline-six, as described within the doc.
“With the basic [physics] of hydrogen you must forget everything you know about how to design a car. Talk is cheap,” he says in a single remark. He then expands additional on the concepts specified by the patents, noting that Ferrari made an inline-six up to now primarily based on the Lampredi V-12.
The entire factor is a really attention-grabbing episode. Skepticism is suitable when discussing such radical concepts, naturally, however a smaller firm like Ferrari with entry to superior in-house manufacturing methods and really gifted engineers has each means to execute one thing like this.
The firm already makes a six-cylinder hybrid automobile. If something, going totally electrical could be extra sacrilegious. Innovating one’s means out of a world the place Ferraris—of all automobiles—fall silent is something however.