Automaker generally patent a single farfetched know-how to guard an thought. However describing an unorthodox automobile system with a number of uncommon traits is way from the norm. That is what Ferrari did with this latest patent utility, which is excessive, to say the least.
The doc itself is titled “CAR PROVIDED WITH A HYDROGEN-POWERED INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE,” however it’s truly solely certainly one of a number of paperwork that describe plenty of unorthodox programs for a possible sports activities automobile. All the patents are purposes within the EU and US in the mean time. All of them share a single credited inventor: Fabrizio Favaretto. In keeping with his LinkedIn, Favaretto has been employed by Ferrari for twenty-four years, at the moment holding the title of “Automobile and Powertrain Architectures Innovation Supervisor.”
The paperwork describe a hybrid sports activities automobile related in fundamental configuration to the Corvette E-Ray. Engine on the again, electrical motor up entrance. However that is the place the similarities finish. The precise electrical traction system on the entrance axle isn’t described in nice element. Not less than, 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 is an inline engine as a result of that configuration offers room for hydrogen tanks on both facet of it. The engine can be mounted the other way up, i.e., the crankshaft is on the highest level of the engine whereas the cylinder head sits instantly above the highway.
The logic behind that is that the transaxle can now be positioned larger up on the engine, which implies a extra aggressive diffuser could be put in behind the automobile. Some World Conflict II fighter plane had upside-down engines like this, so it isn’t utterly unparalleled.
The identical aggressive diffuser can be attainable with out this uncommon association, however the automobile can be for much longer—and the doc insists a brief wheelbase is essential.
It is all finest described by this picture:
Determine 75 refers back to the floor of the automobile’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 during which this compelled induction could also be achieved. In a single embodiment, it consists of two centrifugal compressors mounted coaxially to both facet of a single electrical motor.
The vitality to drive the compressors electrically can be generated underneath braking by the entrance drive unit, and though the phrase “battery” isn’t talked about within the paperwork I learn, it have to be assumed that one can be used to retailer this vitality.
One other embodiment places the 2 compressors in a distinct association however nonetheless drives them with an electrical motor. One other describes an MGU-H kind system with an exhaust fuel turbine able to recovering electrical vitality to drive a number of compressors. The ultimate iteration, as I perceive it, ditches all method of electrical energy, as an alternative tapping energy from one of many dual-clutch transmission’s shafts to drive a number of mechanical superchargers instantly. On this embodiment, there could also be a transmission between the DCT and the supercharger to allow variable speeds. A number of varieties of potential transmission are described. I am not kidding.
One may 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, for example, which locations them on the backside of the engine in simple attain of technicians. A portion of the diffuser can be an engine cowl, and it may be eliminated to entry very important elements.
Ferrari’s system is, in brief, a supercharged, hydrogen-combustion, inline-six, all-wheel-drive, hybrid sports activities automobile. Topic to alter primarily based on regardless of the mad scientists at Maranello assume works finest.
One other publication, Autoguide, lined 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 comparable 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 essential [physics] of hydrogen it’s essential to neglect every thing you understand about how one can design a automobile. Discuss is reasonable,” he says in a single remark. He then expands additional on the concepts specified by the patents, noting that Ferrari made an inline-six prior to now primarily based on the Lampredi V-12.
The entire thing is a really attention-grabbing episode. Skepticism is acceptable when discussing such radical concepts, naturally, however a smaller firm like Ferrari with entry to superior in-house manufacturing strategies and really gifted engineers has each potential to execute one thing like this.
The corporate already makes a six-cylinder hybrid automobile. If something, going absolutely electrical can be extra sacrilegious. Innovating one’s manner out of a world the place Ferraris—of all automobiles—fall silent is something however.