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In late 1997 Ford Motor Company Scientific Research Laboratory started the project to design and develop a practical, low-cost hydrogen fueled internal combustion engine (H2ICE) vehicle. This type of vehicle could serve as an interim step to drive the development of the hydrogen infrastructure before the widespread use of fuel cell vehicles. This paper will discuss the design and development approach and results for a dedicated engine optimized for operation on hydrogen, the unique and custom instrumentation necessary when working with hydrogen, the engine dynamometer development program, the unique triple-redundant vehicle safety system, and the final implementation into the Ford P2000 experimental vehicle.

The first known, North American OEM vehicle powered exclusively by a hydrogen fueled internal combustion engine (H2ICE) has been developed and tested. This production viable, low cost, low emission vehicle is viewed as a short term driver for the hydrogen fueling infrastructure ultimately required for fuel cell vehicles. This vehicle features a highly optimized hydrogen IC engine, a triple redundant hydrogen safety system, and a dedicated gaseous hydrogen fuel system. The vehicle and its test results are presented in this paper.

The search for fuel efficient engines that also offer good performance and fuel economy at moderate cost prompted the development of the Split Port Induction (SPI) concept at Ford Motor Company. Ford has upgraded two families of 2-valve engines, the 2.0L CVH 14 and the 3.8L and 4.2L Essex V6's, with the Split Port Induction concept. SPI offers an improved WOT torque curve, better part load dilution tolerance for fuel economy and superior idle combustion stability. This is accomplished by dividing the intake port into two passages and inserting an intake manifold runner control (IMRC) valve into the secondary passage. The opening of this valve determines the level of in-cylinder charge turbulence and volumetric efficiency according to engine operating conditions. The development of the concept and the improvements resulting from its application to these engines will be described and discussed.