Hybrid Firefighting Powertrain for Faster Loaded Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional internal combustion engine-driven fire fighting vehicles face limitations in response times due to slower acceleration and lower top speeds, which can hinder their ability to quickly reach remote areas of an airfield during emergencies.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid powertrain system that combines a diesel or gasoline engine with an electric motor, utilizing a power divider to selectively couple the engine to the vehicle's subsystems and electromechanical transmission, allowing for faster acceleration and improved responsiveness while maintaining a fuel-efficient and eco-friendly operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a traditional internal combustion engine is used to drive fire fighting vehicles, then the vehicle structure is simple and fuel consumption is moderate, but the acceleration is slow and response time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a diesel engine and an electric motor into a hybrid powertrain system. The diesel engine provides mechanical power while the electric motor provides additional torque, especially during acceleration. This merging of two power sources resolves the contradiction by achieving fast acceleration (improving speed) while distributing the workload to manage overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid powertrain system serves multiple functions: the diesel engine handles steady-state cruising, the electric motor handles acceleration and high-torque demands, and the battery pack provides energy storage and regenerative braking. This multi-functionality allows the system to optimize performance across different operating conditions, achieving both fast acceleration and manageable complexity through specialized component roles.
2Loss of time
If the vehicle accelerates quickly to improve response time, then response time decreases, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid powertrain alternates between different power sources based on operational needs. During acceleration phases, the electric motor provides supplemental torque to reduce response time. During steady-state cruising, the diesel engine operates efficiently. The regenerative braking system recovers energy during deceleration. This periodic switching between power modes achieves fast response time while maintaining overall fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operating parameters by switching between electric and mechanical power delivery modes. The control system adjusts the contribution of each power source based on acceleration demands, vehicle speed, and battery state of charge. This parameter optimization allows rapid acceleration when needed while minimizing fuel consumption during normal operation.
3Quantity of substance
If the vehicle carries full water and agent tanks, then firefighting capability is maximized, but acceleration performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor provides a burst of high torque during acceleration phases, allowing the vehicle to quickly overcome the inertia of the fully-loaded tank configuration. This rushing through the acceleration phase minimizes the time the vehicle spends in high-power consumption states, enabling the system to achieve acceptable acceleration performance even with maximum water and agent capacity.
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
The hybrid powertrain enables fire fighting vehicles to accelerate from 0 to 50 mph in less than 30 seconds, even with full water and agent tanks, enhancing response times and firefighting capabilities while reducing emissions and fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an electromechanical transmission coupled to the battery pack, the engine, at least one of the front axle or the rear axle. The electromechanical transmission is configured to receive a mechanical input from the engine and an electrical input from the battery pack. The electromechanical transmission is configured to provide a mechanical output to at least one of (i) at least one of the front axle or the rear axle or (ii) the pump system using at least one of (a) the mechanical input received from the engine or (b) the electrical input received from the battery pack.
Implementation Method 2
an engine, an energy storage device, an electromechanical transmission, a vehicle subsystem, and a power divider. The power divider is configured to facilitate (i) selectively coupling the engine to the vehicle subsystem and (ii) selectively coupling the engine to the electromechanical transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A fire fighting vehicle includes a chassis, a front axle, a rear axle, an engine, an energy storage device, an electromechanical transmission, a vehicle subsystem, and a power divider. The electromechanical transmission is (i) coupled to at least one of the front axle or the rear axle and (ii) electrically coupled to the energy storage device. The power divider is positioned between the engine, the vehicle subsystem, and the electromechanical transmission. The power divider includes a first interface coupled to the engine, a second interface coupled to the vehicle subsystem, and a third interface coupled to the electromechanical transmission. The power divider is configured to facilitate (i) selectively coupling the engine to the vehicle subsystem and (ii) selectively coupling the engine to the electromechanical transmission.