HYBRID PROPULSOR WITH BRAKING ENERGY RECOVERY, PARTICULARLY FOR MOTORCYCLES

Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid propulsor with braking energy recovery, particularly for motorcycles, comprising a four stroke engine (1), a reversible electric engine (4), coupled with said four stroke engine by synchronised couplings (3), energy accumulation means (7, 8), coupled with said reversible electric engine (4), a processor (5) and a control circuit for the propulsor operation.

Description: HYBRID PROPULSOR WITH BRAKING ENERGY RECOVERY, PARTICULARLY FOR MOTORCYCLES The present invention relates to a hybrid propulsor with braking energy recovery, particularly for motorcycles. More particularly, the invention relates to a hybrid propulsor comprised of a thermal engine and of a reversible electric engine. Still more particularly, the invention relates to a propulsor of the above kind with a very low environment impact, At present, almost all the propulsor apparatuses provided on the motorcycles is comprised of two stroke engines, this choice deriving from the constructive advantages proper of this kind of choose, connected with the fast pickup during the acceleration. The mixture feeding, even if under a separated phase mode, and the very big revolution variations during the operation, make this kind of motorization extremely polluting, as demonstrate by many tests carried out since a long time. The optimum solution for the polluting exhausts would be the use of electrical engines, already adopted by many manufacturers, this solution, however, still having many critical aspects. Particularly, they have a short endurance, require a long stop of the vehicle to recharge the accumulator, involve a remarkable increase of the weight, more maintenance (reintegration of the battery solution), a penalisation of the driving features (low power available at the wheel). The adoption of a hybrid system (thermal engine plus electric engine) with a low environment impact has been the subject of many studies and constructive applications, particularly on motor vehicles. All the solutions realised are characterised by a consistent increase of the weight of the vehicle, as well as an increase of the costs. In view of the above, the Applicant suggests a hybrid propulsor to be particularly used on motorcycles, able to overcome the above drawbacks, being very compact and with a low weight. It is therefore specific object of the present invention a hybrid propulsor with braking energy recovery, particularly for motorcycles, comprising a four stroke engine, a reversible electric engine, coupled with said four stroke engine by synchronised couplings, energy accumulation means, coupled with said reversible electric engine, a processor and a control circuit for the propulsor operation. Preferably, according to the invention, said accumulation means are comprised of ultra-condensers having a high accumulation capability, integrating the batteries, chosen on the basis of their fast charge and discharge features, controlled and piloted by the electronic processor. Always according to the invention, said electric engine is a permanent magnet direct current electric engine, particularly in a reversible configuration (engine - dynamo) making it possible either the production of electric energy to be accumulated, and the availability of mechanical power on the wheel axis. Still according to the invention, said electric control circuit works for variable time intervals and is able to release the requires amount of energy from the accumulation means to the electric engine for the phases when a higher power is necessary (acceleration and high slopes). Furthermore, according to the invention, said couplings are synchronised electromagnetic couplings for the connection between the reversible electrical engine and the thermal engine, piloted by the control circuit. Always according to the invention, said propulsor has a by-pass function of the control circuit, so that it is possible to obtain a purely electric or thermal propulsion, as well as the emergency propulsion that can be activated in case of component failure. Still according to the invention, a wave resonance synchronised compressor can be provided for the intake air of the thermal engine able to ensure a high stability when delivering the power to the shaft. The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a schematic view of a propulsor according to the invention; figure 2 shows a scheme of the electric control circuit of the propulsor of figure 1 ; and figure 3 shows an embodiment of the propulsor according to the invention. Generally speaking, the propulsor according to the invention is comprised of a four stroke endothermic engine, with a permanent magnet reversible electric engine, suitably realised, serially mounted by suitable synchronised couplings. The whole propulsor is controlled by an electronic processor able to elaborate a flexible program to use the energy. The use of this traction system for motorcycles and motorcycles allows to recover a remarkable part of the braking energy, making it available during the acceleration phases. During the frequent stops in the urban journeys, it is possible a remarkable accumulation of electric energy by the use of controlled fast charge and discharge ultra-condensers, which is usable as power increase in the following phases. The inner combustion engine in any operation condition is not subjected to meaningful fuel overfeeding, always working under optimum conditions with very low polluting emissions. The propulsor as a whole (thermal engine + electric engine with accumulation on ultra-condensers and batteries), allows a reduction of about 90% of environment pollution with respect to a traditional two stroke engine propulsor. Coming now to observe all the figures of the enclosed drawings, a four stroke engine 1 powered by the synchronised 2, 3 the permanent magnet reversible electric engine 4 serving also as starting engine for the thermal engine 1. The electronic processor 5 controls the whole system under the energetic point of view. After the start, the engine 4 is able to develop about the double of its nominal power, more than sufficient to start the vehicle under normal conditions. When during the run a power is required on the wheel 6 higher than the one developed by the thermal engine 1 , the joined action of the electric engine 4 starts, taking the energy first from the ultra-condensers 7 (see figure 2) and than also from the batteries 8, making it available a real power at the wheel 6 higher than 60% than the power installed in the thermal engine. During the braking phases or the descent runs, instead acting on the brakes, thus dispersing heat, the electric engine 4, which is reversible, acts as generator sending part of the energy to the accumulation devices 7 and 8. The propulsor according to the invention is arranged before hand to carry out also a by-pass of the thermal engine + electric engine coupling, so that it is possible a purely electric powering (with a limited power) or a purely thermal powering. In figure 1 , by the reference number 9 the speed change gear is indicated, by the reference number 10 the exhaust device is indicated, while the reference number 11 indicates the compressor. Engine 1 is fed by oxygenated fuel, contained within the tank 12, in order to reduce the pollution. The most innovative feature of the propulsor according to the invention, is the capability of managing and the high efficiency degree of the elaboration and control system retro-driven by the use of ultra- condensers 7, presently comprising the only accumulation device operating very quickly. The propulsor according to the invention allows as a whole a considerable gear pickup, even using a four stroke thermal engine 1 (for the well known advantages under the ecological point of view). This result derives from the exploitation, for determined time intervals, a supplemental power deriving from the electric engine 4. This kind of hybrid motorization allows a brilliant guide such that obtained using very powerful two stroke engines, which are highly polluting. The energy of the electric engine 4 arrives from the accumulators 7, 8, mainly charged during the stop of the urban run. The propulsor according to the invention has a flexible behaviour in the various situations, even constructively being a propulsor very similar to the traditional one. The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Hybrid propulsor with braking energy recovery, particularly for motorcycles, comprising a four stroke engine, a reversible electric engine, coupled with said four stroke engine by synchronised couplings, energy accumulation means, coupled with said reversible electric engine, a processor and a control circuit for the propulsor operation. 2. Hybrid propulsor according to claim 1 , characterised in that said accumulation means are comprised of ultra-condensers having a high accumulation capability, integrating the batteries. 3. Hybrid propulsor according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said electric engine is a permanent magnet direct current electric engine, particularly in a reversible configuration (engine - dynamo) making it possible either the production of electric energy to be accumulated, and the availability of mechanical power on the wheel axis. 4. Hybrid propulsor according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said electric control circuit works for variable time intervals and is able to release the requires amount of energy from the accumulation means to the electric engine for the phases when a higher power is necessary (acceleration and high slopes). 5. Hybrid propulsor according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said couplings are synchronised electromagnetic couplings for the connection between the reversible electrical engine and the thermal engine, piloted by the control circuit. 6. Hybrid propulsor according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said propulsor has a by-pass function of the control circuit, so that it is possible to obtain a purely electric or thermal propulsion, as well as the emergency propulsion that can be activated in case of component failure. 7. Hybrid propulsor according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a wave resonance synchronised compressor can be provided for the intake air of the thermal engine able to ensure a high stability when delivering the power to the shaft. 8. Hybrid propulsor with braking energy recovery, particularly for motorcycles, according to each one of the preceding claims, substantially as illustrated and described.

Inventors: VALENTINI LEONARDO, VALENTINI, LEONARDO
Applicants: SILER S R L, VALENTINI LEONARDO, SILER S.R.L., VALENTINI, LEONARDO
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B60K41
IPC codes: B60K6