Patent ID: 6892840
Filing Date: 2005-05-17
Classification: B60K,F02M,Y02T,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A hybrid drive for a motor vehicle of the type having a thermal engine that can be operated with a hydrocarbon containing fuel suitable for generating hydrogen, a fuel storage tank for storing said fuel, an energy storage device in which the energy generated by the thermal engine can be stored, and a drive motor whose operating state depends on the energy from the thermal engine and/or the energy storage device, said hybrid drive comprising: an alternating current to energy converter for producing and storing energy in the energy storage device prior to starting of a hybrid drive for a motor vehicle; a hydrogen storage device located on said motor vehicle; a hydrogen-generating unit operatively connected to the fuel storage tank and to said hydrogen storage device for receiving a hydrocarbon containing fuel and generating hydrogen therefrom and prior to starting of the hybrid drive for a motor vehicle or during operation of the hybrid drive for a motor vehicle storing hydrogen in said hydrogen storage device and wherein said thermal engine can be operated alternatively on hydrogen generated by said hydrogen-generating unit or hydrogen stored in said hydrogen storage device; said thermal engine being configured for optional operation on fuel from said storage tank when said motor vehicle is in a higher driving load range, and for operation on hydrogen generated by said hydrogen-generating unit or stored hydrogen when said motor vehicle is in a lower driving load range.