Ferrari patents performance-enhancing gas propulsion system

Shortly after Tesla unveiled its second-generation Roadster in 2017, CEO Elon Musk teased that the car could be equipped with rocket thrusters to boost performance.

While there is no indication that Tesla is actually working on such a system, The Drive recently learned that Ferrari has designed a system that uses thrusters to enhance the performance of road vehicles (both cars and motorcycles) and has filed a patent for that system.

A search of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office revealed that Ferrari has been granted at least two patents for thruster systems, both filed on December 23, 2019.

In the patents, Ferrari calls the thrusters "pushers" and describes two types: one uses compressed air stored in a tank on the vehicle, and the other uses a small pulse jet powered by the same fuel that drives the vehicle's regular engine The other uses a small pulse jet powered by the same fuel that powers the vehicle's regular engine. According to the patent, the pulse jet is used when compressed air is in short supply. The patent explains that the air tank is refilled with air using recovered brake energy or an external source.

The included figures show thrusters attached to the front and rear of the vehicle, the roof and underbody, and on both sides. According to the patent, the thrusters not only help with acceleration, but also help stabilize the vehicle in emergency situations, for example, an uncontrolled slide or spin. They can also help slow down the vehicle if used in the front, according to the patent.

Another possibility is to use the thrusters as a handling aid on the track. Roof thrusters press the vehicle against the road surface to increase grip. Similarly, thrusters at the bottom of the vehicle can be positioned to create a ground effect, thereby increasing downforce.

In the Ferrari patent, each thruster actually consists of five nozzles of various sizes. Such a design means that compressed air can be used to provide a steady supply of pressure even as the pressure in the tank begins to drop as it is used. When the tank is full, a smaller nozzle is used, and as the air begins to deplete, a progressively larger nozzle is used.

While the patent certainly does not indicate production intent, it is interesting that Ferrari engineers seem to have investigated the idea of using thrusters to improve performance and designed a system that sounds much more plausible than strapping a rocket to a car.