Hybrid electric vehicle
First Claim
1. A hybrid electric vehicle, for ground transportation, comprising:
- means for distributing high-voltage power, low-voltage power and control signals to high-power components on said vehicle;
means for providing a low-voltage supply and a reliable, digital communication channel;
means for supporting the vehicle'"'"'s components mechanically and for protecting the occupants during a collision;
means for minimizing the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle and for protecting the interior and internal components from the environmental elements, externally mounted to said spaceframe;
means for maintaining stability, acceleration, deceleration, steering, traction, differential and anti-lock brake controls of said vehicle;
means for generating torque to a plurality of drive wheels via connecting constant-velocity joints to accelerate and decelerate said vehicle, also adapted to be operated as generators, whereupon said means receive torque and generate electric energy;
means for generating torque essentially at higher cruising speeds to a plurality of drive wheels via connecting constant-velocity joints to efficiently sustain the speed of said vehicle;
means for controlling the operations of and transferring energy to and from said means for generating torque and receiving torque to generator electricity and said means for sustaining cruising speed, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus, digitally connected to said vehicle control system;
means for storing the electrical energy generated onboard said vehicle, for storing the electrical energy received from a charger unit and for supplying high-voltage electrical energy, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus;
means for supplying electrical power for vehicle acceleration and for receiving and storing electrical energy from regenerative braking, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus;
means for generating electricity onboard said vehicle, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus, removably mounted to the underside of said spaceframe;
means for transferring excess heat from significantly heat-producing components of said vehicle to the ambient environment; and
,means for receiving electrical energy from the power grid when the vehicle is connected to said power grid, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A highly energy efficient automobile that provides payload, safety and performance capacities similar to a comparable vehicle of a given vehicle class. The current invention is ideal for short to medium range urban and suburban driving. The current invention incorporates components in a unique and novel way, in which these components combine to form a system that produces an automobile that reduces overall air pollution while encouraging the commercialization of alternative energy sources. The current invention features an lightweight, low rolling resistance, digitally controlled and direct-drive electric propulsion system. A lightweight spaceframe with a suspension system provides a structure for mounting a low-aerodynamic-drag body system and other components. An intelligent power and thermal management system coupled with a removable auxiliary power module supplies the electrical energy required. While the preferred embodiment is substantially a passenger vehicle, the current invention may be scaled to other land vehicles.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A hybrid electric vehicle, for ground transportation, comprising:
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means for distributing high-voltage power, low-voltage power and control signals to high-power components on said vehicle; means for providing a low-voltage supply and a reliable, digital communication channel; means for supporting the vehicle'"'"'s components mechanically and for protecting the occupants during a collision; means for minimizing the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle and for protecting the interior and internal components from the environmental elements, externally mounted to said spaceframe; means for maintaining stability, acceleration, deceleration, steering, traction, differential and anti-lock brake controls of said vehicle; means for generating torque to a plurality of drive wheels via connecting constant-velocity joints to accelerate and decelerate said vehicle, also adapted to be operated as generators, whereupon said means receive torque and generate electric energy; means for generating torque essentially at higher cruising speeds to a plurality of drive wheels via connecting constant-velocity joints to efficiently sustain the speed of said vehicle; means for controlling the operations of and transferring energy to and from said means for generating torque and receiving torque to generator electricity and said means for sustaining cruising speed, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus, digitally connected to said vehicle control system; means for storing the electrical energy generated onboard said vehicle, for storing the electrical energy received from a charger unit and for supplying high-voltage electrical energy, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus; means for supplying electrical power for vehicle acceleration and for receiving and storing electrical energy from regenerative braking, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus; means for generating electricity onboard said vehicle, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus, removably mounted to the underside of said spaceframe; means for transferring excess heat from significantly heat-producing components of said vehicle to the ambient environment; and
,means for receiving electrical energy from the power grid when the vehicle is connected to said power grid, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A hybrid electric vehicle, for ground transportation, comprising:
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a power distribution and management bus, for distributing high-voltage power, low-voltage power and control signals to high-power components on said vehicle; a high-speed, low-latency, battery-backed, digital vehicle control bus, for providing a low-voltage supply and a reliable, digital communication channel; a lightweight spaceframe, for supporting the vehicle'"'"'s components mechanically and for protecting the occupants during a collision; a lightweight body system, for minimizing the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle and for protecting the interior and internal components from the environmental elements, externally mounted to said spaceframe; a real-time, fail-safe vehicle control system, for maintaining stability, acceleration, deceleration, steering, traction, differential and anti-lock brake controls of said vehicle; a plurality of electric direct-drive high-power motor-generators, for generating torque to a plurality of drive wheels via connecting constant-velocity joints to accelerate and decelerate said vehicle, said high-power motor-generators also being adapted to be operated as generators, whereupon said motor-generators receive torque and generate electric energy; a plurality of highly efficient, electric direct drive continuous-duty motor-generators, for generating torque essentially at higher cruising speeds to a plurality of drive wheels via connecting constant-velocity joints to efficiently sustain the speed of said vehicle; a plurality of motor controllers, for controlling the operations of and transferring energy to and from said plurality of high-power motor-generators and said plurality of continuous-duty motor-generators, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus, digitally connected to said vehicle control system; a rechargeable, high energy density battery array, for storing the electrical energy generated onboard said vehicle, for storing the electrical energy received from a charger unit and for supplying high-voltage electrical energy, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus; a high voltage, high power density ultracapacitor, for supplying electrical power for vehicle acceleration and for receiving and storing electrical energy from regenerative braking, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus; a self-contained, interchangeable auxiliary power module, for generating electricity onboard said vehicle, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus, removably mounted to the underside of said spaceframe; a demand-driven thermal management system, for transferring excess heat from significantly heat-producing components of said vehicle to the ambient environment; and
,a charger unit for receiving electrical energy from the power grid when the vehicle is connected to said power grid, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification