Powertrain and apparatus using a continuously variable ratio transmission to improve fuel economy

Patent · Tue Jul 28 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:5903671

Ganoung, D P

An automotive powertrain includes a conventional piston engine, a continuously variable ratio transmission, an engine speed sensor and a feedback control system. The control system adjusts both the transmission ratio and the throttle valve in the engine carburetor or fuel metering system in response to the position of the accelerator pedal and in response to the crankshaft speed as measured by the engine sensor. The transmission provides extreme overdrive gear ratios which allow the engine to be operated at wide open throttle even during moderate cruising, and, in addition, the engine carburetor or fuel metering system is calibrated to deliver to the engine a stoichiometric air-fuel mixture which is combined, before combustion, with a special proportion of recirculated exhaust gas. As a result of extensive wide open throttle engine operation with the above mentioned intake charge composition, combustion variables are optimized to produce exceptional fuel economy.

• Assignee: IFI; EDB-82-012700
• Patent Number(s): US 4280469
• OSTI ID: 5903671
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330100* -- Internal Combustion Engines
CARBURETORS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
EXHAUST RECIRCULATION SYSTEMS
EXHAUST SYSTEMS
FEEDBACK
FUEL ECONOMY
FUEL SYSTEMS
FUEL-AIR RATIO
HEAT ENGINES
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
MACHINE PARTS
MECHANICAL TRANSMISSIONS
OTTO CYCLE
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES