Hybrid Fire Fighting Vehicle Powertrain for Rapid Loaded Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional internal combustion engine-driven fire fighting vehicles face limitations in response time and fuel efficiency, struggling to accelerate quickly while carrying heavy loads of water and foam, which are essential for rapid emergency responses at airports.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a hybrid powertrain system that combines a diesel or electric motor with an electromechanical transmission, allowing the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 50 mph in under 30 seconds even when fully loaded with a 6,000-liter water tank or 10,300-liter water tank, using a battery pack to power electric motors for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional internal combustion engine is used to power fire fighting vehicle, then vehicle can carry heavy water and foam loads, but acceleration performance deteriorates and response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a diesel engine with an electric motor to create a hybrid powertrain system. The diesel engine provides sustained power for heavy loads, while the electric motor delivers immediate torque for rapid acceleration, resolving the contradiction between acceleration performance and load-carrying capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional purely mechanical internal combustion engine system with an electromechanical hybrid system. The electromechanical transmission and electric motor substitution enable faster response times and improved acceleration while maintaining the ability to carry heavy water and foam loads
2Quantity of substance
If traditional internal combustion engine is used, then vehicle can maintain operation with heavy loads, but fuel efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid powertrain merges diesel engine power with electric motor power, allowing the vehicle to carry heavy water and foam loads while the electric motor recovers energy during deceleration and reduces overall fuel consumption, thus improving fuel efficiency without sacrificing load capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The regenerative braking system recovers kinetic energy during vehicle deceleration and uses it to charge the battery pack, reducing fuel consumption during operation while maintaining the ability to carry heavy loads of water and foam
3Loss of time
If vehicle accelerates quickly from 0 to 50 mph, then response time improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid powertrain combines the immediate torque availability of electric motors with the sustained power of diesel engines, enabling rapid acceleration from 0 to 50 mph in under 30 seconds while managing energy consumption through coordinated operation of both power sources
Solution Approach 2:
The control system periodically switches between diesel engine and electric motor power sources based on operational demands, using electric power for acceleration phases and diesel power for sustained operation, thereby optimizing energy consumption while achieving rapid acceleration
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly improves acceleration and top speeds, reduces response times, and provides a more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly solution for fire fighting vehicles, enabling them to reach emergencies quickly while minimizing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a battery pack, and an electromechanical transmission coupled to the battery pack and at least one of the front axle or the rear axle
Implementation Method 2
The electromechanical transmission includes one or more electric motors configured to receive power from the battery pack to facilitate accelerating the fire fighting vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A fire fighting vehicle includes a chassis, a front axle, a rear axle, a fluid tank having a maximum fluid capacity of at least about 6,000 liters, a battery pack, and an electromechanical transmission coupled to the battery pack and at least one of the front axle or the rear axle. The electromechanical transmission includes one or more electric motors configured to receive power from the battery pack to facilitate accelerating the fire fighting vehicle from 0 to 50 miles-per-hour in 30 seconds or less while the fluid tank is at the maximum fluid capacity.