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The development of an integrated Perforated Manifold, Muffler, and Catalyst (PMMC) for an automotive engine exhaust system is described. The design aims to reduce tailpipe emissions and improve engine power while maintaining low sound output levels from the exhaust. The initial design, based on simplified acoustic and fluid dynamic considerations, is further refined through the use of a computational approach and bench tests. A final prototype is fabricated and evaluated using fired engine dynamometer experiments. The results confirm earlier analytical estimates for improved engine power and reductions of emissions and noise levels.

Obstacle detection technology has made significant progress in the last five years in the important product areas of quality, performance and affordability. Ford Motor Company's market research indicates that our customers are very interested in new safety features. Drivers consider obstacle detection and collision warning technology as the next breakthrough in safety technology. Ford recognizes the importance of moving from the collision mitigation to the collision avoidance paradigm. Fortunately, the first step in collision avoidance can be taken by equipping the vehicle with reliable and affordable obstacle detection sensors

Several types of hybrid-electric vehicles have been developed at Ford Research Laboratory. Among the parallel hybrid systems with a single electric motor, two types were studied. In the first type, the electric motor was attached directly to the crankshaft (mild hybrid) [1], to enable the engine start-stop and regeneration functions. In the second type (full hybrid) the electric motor was connected to the engine through the use of a clutch to allow electric launch of the vehicle and pure electric driving at low speeds. The full hybrid powertrain described in this paper uses a more powerful electric motor for enhanced regenerative braking and engine power assist. An engine-disconnecting clutch saves energy during both the electric propulsion and during vehicle braking. When the clutch is disengaged the engine is shut-off, which eliminates the energy otherwise spent on motoring the engine during electric propulsion.

An experimental data base of catalyst conversion efficiency was generated, using a tubular flow reactor which contained either a Pt/Rh (5:1; 40g/ft3) or a Pd/Rh (5:1; 40g/ft3) catalyst sample, for the purpose of updating the kinetic rate constants in the Ford TWC model. Steady-state conversion efficiency of CO, NO, C3H8, C3H6, H2 and O2 through these catalysts were determined for a variety of inlet species concentrations and inlet gas temperatures. These data were obtained for values of redox ratio between 0.5 (excess O2) and 4.0, and inlet gas temperatures between 371°C and 593°C. All experimental details and modeling procedures utilized in obtaining an optimized set of kinetic parameters are included. Results of these experiments show significant improvement in CO and NO conversion efficiency and an increase in NH3 production for both catalyst formulations over previous generation catalyst formulations when redox ratio is greater than unity.