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 much from the norm. That is what Ferrari did with this latest patent software, which is excessive, to say the least.
The doc itself is titled “CAR PROVIDED WITH A HYDROGEN-POWERED INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE,” but it surely’s truly solely one in every of a number of paperwork that describe quite a lot of unorthodox programs for a possible sports activities automotive. The entire patents are functions within the EU and US in the intervening time. All of them share a single credited inventor: Fabrizio Favaretto. In accordance with his LinkedIn, Favaretto has been employed by Ferrari for twenty-four years, at present holding the title of “Car and Powertrain Architectures Innovation Supervisor.”
The paperwork describe a hybrid sports activities automotive related in primary 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 just isn’t described in nice element. At the very least, not within the paperwork I learn. The rear-mounted engine and transaxle are the centerpiece.
The combustion engine is, within the main 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 aspect 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 straight above the highway.
The logic behind that is that the transaxle can now be positioned greater up on the engine, which suggests a extra aggressive diffuser may be put in behind the automotive. Some World Warfare II fighter plane had upside-down engines like this, so it isn’t utterly remarkable.
The identical aggressive diffuser could be attainable with out this uncommon association, however the automobile could be for much longer—and the doc insists a brief wheelbase is essential.
It is all greatest 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 by which this compelled induction could also be achieved. In a single embodiment, it consists of two centrifugal compressors mounted coaxially to both aspect of a single electrical motor.
The vitality to drive the compressors electrically could be generated beneath braking by the entrance drive unit, and though the phrase “battery” just isn’t talked about within the paperwork I learn, it should be assumed that one could be used to retailer this vitality.
One other embodiment places the 2 compressors in a unique association however nonetheless drives them with an electrical motor. One other describes an MGU-H sort 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 straight. On this embodiment, there could also be a transmission between the DCT and the supercharger to allow variable speeds. A number of kinds of potential transmission are described. I am not kidding.
One may fear concerning the potential serviceability of an upside-down engine, however the patent addresses these considerations. 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 automotive. Topic to alter primarily based on regardless of the mad scientists at Maranello suppose works greatest.
One other 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 reminiscent of 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 little thing you already know about how you can design a automotive. Speak 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 up 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 capability to execute one thing like this.
The corporate already makes a six-cylinder hybrid automotive. 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.