Hybrid vehicle formed by converting a conventional IC engine powered vehicle and method of such conversion
First Claim
1. The method of converting an internal combustion engine powered vehicle having a drive train comprising a plurality of the serial elements into a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
- modifying one of said serial elements to a converted form which performs an identical mechanical function as the unconverted element, and additionally provides the connection for applying mechanical power from an electric motor into the drive train;
providing an electric motor connected to said modified element;
providing a switchable connection between said electric motor and an electric power storage system;
providing an electronic controller operatively connected to said internal combustion engine and said switchable connection to said electric motor, in order to control the state of energization of said internal combustion engine and said electric motor;
having sensors related to the state of operation of said vehicle;
whereby the electric motor may be connected to the electric power storage system to provide driving power to said vehicle to supplement driving power provided by said internal combustion engine through said drive train.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of converting a conventional internal combustion powered vehicle into a hybrid vehicle and apparatus for achieving that and modifying one of the serial elements of the drive train interconnecting the internal combustion to the driving wheels of the vehicle by providing an auxiliary power connection which allows the motor/generator to provide or remove mechanical power from the drive train during driving operation or regenerative braking. Generators switchingly connected to a vehicle battery and an electronic controller intercede the system relative to the operation of the vehicle and control the motor/generator switching the vehicle engine to apply an electric drive power to the vehicle at appropriate points in the vehicle operation and to drive the generator during braking of the vehicle to recharge the power source. The electric drive power elements are supported on a cross-member added to the vehicle.
160 Citations
23 Claims
-
1. The method of converting an internal combustion engine powered vehicle having a drive train comprising a plurality of the serial elements into a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
-
modifying one of said serial elements to a converted form which performs an identical mechanical function as the unconverted element, and additionally provides the connection for applying mechanical power from an electric motor into the drive train;
providing an electric motor connected to said modified element;
providing a switchable connection between said electric motor and an electric power storage system;
providing an electronic controller operatively connected to said internal combustion engine and said switchable connection to said electric motor, in order to control the state of energization of said internal combustion engine and said electric motor;
having sensors related to the state of operation of said vehicle;
whereby the electric motor may be connected to the electric power storage system to provide driving power to said vehicle to supplement driving power provided by said internal combustion engine through said drive train. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A hybrid powered vehicle comprising:
-
an internal combustion engine;
a drive train comprising a plurality of serial elements connecting the output of the internal combustion engine to the driving wheels of the vehicle;
an auxiliary power connection to one of said serial elements allowing the introduction of mechanical power derived from an auxiliary motor power element into the drive train and the removal of mechanical power from said drive train;
an electronic controller operative to sense vehicle conditions and operative to control the state of said internal combustion engine and the motor/generator system to control the operation of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. The method of converting an internal combustion engine powered vehicle having a drive train comprising a plurality of serial elements connected between the engine and the wheels of the engine into a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
-
inserting a transfer case as a serial element in said drive train, said transfer case including an input shaft connected to those drive train elements connected to the internal combustion engine and, an output shaft connected to those drive train elements connected to the driving wheels of the vehicle, a clutch for selectively engaging and disengaging said input shaft to said output shaft, and an auxiliary power shaft connected to said output shaft;
connecting a motor/generator shaft to said auxiliary shaft;
providing a high-energy electric power storage system connected to the engine;
providing a switching connection between the electrical connection of the motor/generator and the electrical storage system;
providing an electronic controller having inputs that are functions of the brake and accelerator pedal positions of the internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine speed and vehicle speed and having outputs drivingly connected through the switching system between the motor/generator and the power storage source, internal combustion engine, and the clutch; and
providing an auxiliary fluid pump powered by the electric storage system for providing fluid power to a vehicle braking system at such time as the clutch is deenergized. - View Dependent Claims (23)
-
- 21. The method of converting an internal combustion engine powered vehicle into a hybrid vehicle, the vehicle having a drive train comprising a plurality of serial elements interconnecting the mechanical output of the internal combustion engine to the drive wheels of the vehicle, and having a frame, including spaced pair of longitudinal elements disposed on opposite sides of the engine.
Specification