Ice Running "needlessly".......?

[wwest]

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6057605.html

Apparently the industry is struggling to figure out how to keep the catalyst above or near its 750F optimum operating temperature in hybrid systems. According to the patent the ICE even needs to be operating under a significant load level in order for the exhaust gasses to retain enough energy to maintain the catalyst at the optimum operating temperature level.

So:

No atkinson cycle.

And the engine must be run fairly OFTEN and UNDER LOAD in order for the exhaust gasses to be HOT enough to keep the catalyst LIT-OFF.

Absent using the energy recovered via regenerative braking to keep the catalyst lit-off, as proposed in the above referenced patent.