Toyota and Ford teeming up to build hybrid system

The Lexus RX450h factory shop/repair manual has a detailed description of the intake valve closing delay variability to transition between Otto mode and Atkinson.

 

Why is Toyota secretive about this technology that basicly lets an engine switch between Otto and Atkinson cycles as needed? Hypothetically, this could let a non-hybrid gain a good portion of hybrid's fuel savings without the cost of a battery and electric motors. Does it only work with premium fuel? The official numbers (power, torque, maybe economy) for Lexus are measured with 91 octane fuel. If the Otto cycle is limited to the native compression of the engine, then it needs DI for lower octanes.

This was the only thing I could find on the web concerning it:
Modified Atkinson Cycle Engine

Now I did find that Toyota has a VVT-iE in the LS Lexus.

That's from a pop up window on the Lexus site. Wikipedia gives a little more info. Its a variant of the dual VVT-i (I think all modern Toyotas/Lexi are dual). Using an electric motor instead of a hydraulic actuator for the intake valves improves reaction time. There's a little more info on The Wiki.
VVT-i - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
If someone cares to translate, this is the page The Wiki sources for VVT-iE.
LEXUS > LS460/LS460L > ƒGƒ“ƒWƒ“

 

Why..?

1. Infringing on someone else's patent...?

2. Not currently patentable so why announce the improvement to competitors..?

 

it is 3cyl not 4. And they are talking 46MPG on hwy

 

Yeah I realized that later on (the 3cyl). Probably for the best...imagine the little tiny pistons in a 1l 4?

The funny thing is the current Fiesta gets near that already so it will probably be in the high 50s.

 

The 2.0L Explorer is up on Ford's site. It gets the same fuel economy as my 2006 HHR.

 

I have a hard time believing Ford is bringing much to the party other than development money. They have not designed a new transmission/drive unit in a long time. For their 6 speed models they basically use GM for FWD, ZF for RWD, and Getrag for DCT. The Escape hybrid is a mild adaptation of an Aisin/Toyota design. While Ford does a superb job with powertrain integration into their vehicles, I don't see where they bring much IP to the partnership. That is going to be all on Toyota.

 

As it relates to trucks, perhaps they bring some key patents? Joint efforts often seem to revolve around that.

 

Ford knows a lot about throttle body fuel injection, used it a lot back in the early 80's, probably what's needed along with DFI to keep the intake manifold and the intake valves clear of EGR residue.