GB2261200A - Auxiliary power unit for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Auxiliary power unit for motor vehicles Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2261200A
GB2261200A GB9223247A GB9223247A GB2261200A GB 2261200 A GB2261200 A GB 2261200A GB 9223247 A GB9223247 A GB 9223247A GB 9223247 A GB9223247 A GB 9223247A GB 2261200 A GB2261200 A GB 2261200A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
power unit
vehicle
engine power
auxiliary engine
motor vehicle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9223247A
Other versions
GB9223247D0 (en
Inventor
Samuel David Smith
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of GB9223247D0 publication Critical patent/GB9223247D0/en
Publication of GB2261200A publication Critical patent/GB2261200A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K8/00—Arrangement or mounting of propulsion units not provided for in one of the preceding main groups
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B1/00—Engines characterised by fuel-air mixture compression
    • F02B1/02—Engines characterised by fuel-air mixture compression with positive ignition
    • F02B1/04—Engines characterised by fuel-air mixture compression with positive ignition with fuel-air mixture admission into cylinder
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B3/00—Engines characterised by air compression and subsequent fuel addition
    • F02B3/06—Engines characterised by air compression and subsequent fuel addition with compression ignition

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Arrangement Or Mounting Of Propulsion Units For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

An auxiliary power unit (1) for use when the main engine fails comprises an engine powered by petrol, diesel, gas or electricity located eg in the area of the vehicle boot (4). Mounted on the drive/crank shaft of the power unit is an arm (7) carrying a ground engaging wheel (8) at its free end. The arm can be pivoted under hydraulic action in operation of a control lever (6) in the vehicle passenger compartment to move the arm and wheel into or out of engagement with the ground surface. The auxiliary power unit thus propels the vehicle while the vehicle is under the control of the vehicle steering and braking system. Hazard warning signals may be displayed to other road users when travelling under auxiliary power. <IMAGE>

Description

AN AUXILIARY ENGINE POWER UNIT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES This invention relates to an auxiliary engine power unit for motor vehicles, primarily for the purpose of conveying persons and goods.
Although passenger road vehicles are much more reliable than those of ten to twenty years ago they still have the disadvantage of thousands of breakdowns resulting mainly from faulty ignition or carburreter problems. More recently there have been dangerous instances of female drivers who become stranded and are vulnerable to attacks particularly at night when stranded on motorways.
An aim of the present invention is to overcome the above disadvantage and danger by providing an auxiliary engine power unit which can be installed for use in the event of the failure of the main engine of the motor vehicle to propel the motor vehicle and passenger(s).
According to the present invention there is provided an auxiliary engine power unit for motor vehicles, comprising an engine powered by petrol, diesel, gas or electricity, the power output from the engine unit driving a ground engaging means which when the power unit is secured to a motor vehicle, the power driven ground engaging means propels the motor vehicle under the control of the vehicle steering and braking system.
Preferably, the ground engaging means is at least one wheel or roller.
Conveniently, the engine unit is removably mounted to the motor vehicle along its longitudinal axis in the region of the vehicle boot.
The ground engaging means is preferably mounted on an arm pivotable to the power unit into and out of engagement with the ground surface.
The auxiliary engine power unit may be formed integral with the main engine of the motor vehicle and control mechanisms.
An embodiment of an auxiliary engine power unit will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a motor vehicle with the auxiliary engine power unit shown in chaindotted line; and Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the motor vehicle and auxiliary engine power unit shown in Fig. 1.
An auxiliary engine power unit generally indicated at 1 is mounted on the longitudinal axis 2 of a saloon motor vehicle 3 in the area of the vehicle boot 4.
The power unit may be driven by any suitable fuel, such as petrol, diesel, gas or electricity, the controls 5 of which are located in the motor vehicle passenger compartment.
Mounted on the drive/crank shaft of the power unit 1 is an arm 7 which carries a ground engaging wheel 8 at its free end. The arm 7 can be pivoted under hydraulic action on operation of a control lever 6 so that the wheel is moved into and out of engagement with the ground surface 9. The wheel 8, which may have a tyre of a high friction material to grip the ground surface 9, when driven provides traction to propel the vehicle and passenger(s) to a garage or other area for attention or recovery.
In operation if the vehicle cannot proceed under power from the vehicle's main engine, then the driver places the gear control lever in neutral and operates the controls 5 on control panel to start the auxiliary engine power unit 1 the control lever 6 is operated to hydraulically pivot the arm and wheel from its stored position, slung under the rear of the vehicle, to frictionally engage the wheel 8 with the ground surface 9. By engaging a clutch on the power unit 1 a traction is created between the wheel and ground surface propelling the vehicle forwards. The power unit is under the control of the steering and braking system of the main vehicle.
The operation of the auxiliary engine power unit may be connected with hazzard and warning signals appropriately displayed on the outside of the motor vehicle 3 indiating to other drivers that the vehicle is travelling under auxiliary power and that they should make allowances so as to give the vehicle a wide berth.
The auxiliary engine power unit 1 is provided with means 10 to mount it to the vehicle back axle or chassis to provide a secure connection between the power unit 1 and the vehicle 3. In a modified construction, when the auxiliary engine power unit is a petrol engine, the fuel tank of the power unit 1 may be connected with the fuel tank of the vehicle's main engine to provide a reserve tank of petrol in the case of an emergency.
Various other modifications may be made to the invention, for example, the auxiliary engine power unit may be formed as part of the main engine utilizing the clutch of the main engine and its associated control pedal.
Although the auxiliary engine power unit has been described as being mounted in the area of the vehicle's boot, it will be understood that it can be attached to any suitable location on the vehicle axles or chassis.
It will be appreciated that the auxiliary engine power unit, according to the present invention, has the advantage of providing a simple form of propulsion to enable a vehicle fitted with the auxiliary power unit to proceed on its journey until it arrives at a garage or other location for assistance.
It is also advantageous when installed in a vehicle driven by a lone female driver who breaks down on an isolated country road, or on a motorway at night and is frightened to leave the vehicle to seek assistance in case she is attacked. The auxiliary engine power unit can be operated to allow the driver to continue their journey to a safe place to seek assistance.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS:
1. An auxiliary engine power unit for motor vehicles comprising an engine powered by petrol diesel gas or electricity, the power output from the engine driving a ground engaging means which when the power unit is secured to a motor vehicle the power driven ground engaging means propels the motor vehicle under the control of the vehicle steering and braking systems.
2. An auxiliary engine power unit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the ground engaging means is at least one wheel or roller.
3. An auxiliary engine power unit as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the engine unit is removably mounted to the motor vehicle along its longitudinal axis in the region of the vehicle boot.
4. An auxiliary engine power unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the ground engaging means is mounted on an arm pivotable into and out of engagement with the ground surface.
5. An auxiliary engine power unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control of the pivotable arm carrying the ground engaging means and the ignition of the engine unit is from a control panel in the motor vehicle passenger compartment.
6. An auxiliary engine power unit when driven on a petrol or diesel fuel, when the fuel tank of the unit is connected to the fuel tank of the motor vehicle to which it is mounted to provide an auxiliary fuel tank.
7. An auxiliary engine power unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein it may be mounted integral with the main engine of the motor vehicle and main control mechanisms.
8. An auxiliary engine power unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein it is connected with hazzard and warning signals.
9. An auxiliary engine power unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown n the accompanying drawings.
GB9223247A 1991-11-06 1992-11-06 Auxiliary power unit for motor vehicles Withdrawn GB2261200A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB919123541A GB9123541D0 (en) 1991-11-06 1991-11-06 An auxiliary engine power unit for motor vehicles

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9223247D0 GB9223247D0 (en) 1992-12-23
GB2261200A true GB2261200A (en) 1993-05-12

Family

ID=10704153

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB919123541A Pending GB9123541D0 (en) 1991-11-06 1991-11-06 An auxiliary engine power unit for motor vehicles
GB9223247A Withdrawn GB2261200A (en) 1991-11-06 1992-11-06 Auxiliary power unit for motor vehicles

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB919123541A Pending GB9123541D0 (en) 1991-11-06 1991-11-06 An auxiliary engine power unit for motor vehicles

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (2) GB9123541D0 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2455135A (en) * 2007-11-30 2009-06-03 Advanced Vehicle Concepts Ltd Anti-tip wheel for a wheeled vehicle

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3826322A (en) * 1972-09-28 1974-07-30 S Williams Accessory wheel and drive device for a motor vehicle
US4289212A (en) * 1979-05-29 1981-09-15 Immel Erich A Self-propelled battery powered cart for pushing disabled vehicles
US4971170A (en) * 1989-12-20 1990-11-20 Evald Rasmussen Center drive automobile

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3826322A (en) * 1972-09-28 1974-07-30 S Williams Accessory wheel and drive device for a motor vehicle
US4289212A (en) * 1979-05-29 1981-09-15 Immel Erich A Self-propelled battery powered cart for pushing disabled vehicles
US4971170A (en) * 1989-12-20 1990-11-20 Evald Rasmussen Center drive automobile

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2455135A (en) * 2007-11-30 2009-06-03 Advanced Vehicle Concepts Ltd Anti-tip wheel for a wheeled vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9223247D0 (en) 1992-12-23
GB9123541D0 (en) 1992-01-02

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)