Operating method and system for hybrid vehicle
First Claim
1. A hybrid power plant for propelling a vehicle, comprising:
- an internal combustion motor;
a generator capable of producing electrical energy, mechanically coupled to the internal combustion motor;
an electrical motor powered by the generator; and
a controller coupled to the generator, providing a control of a rate of electricity provided to the electrical motor by the generator,wherein the electrical motor facilitates rotation of a wheel of the vehicle and the internal combustion motor is operated at a near-idle speed to provide sufficient energy to be converted into electrical energy by the generator, thereby enabling the electrical motor to propel the vehicle in excess of sixty miles per hour, without engaging the internal combustion motor to the wheel and without drawing energy from a battery.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hybrid power plant for efficiently propelling a vehicle is described. In particular, an internal combustion motor and a generator capable of producing electrical energy is mechanically coupled to the internal combustion motor. An electrical motor is powered by the generator and a controller is coupled to the generator, providing control of the rate of electricity provided to the electrical motor by the generator. Here the electrical motor facilitates rotation of a wheel of the vehicle and the internal combustion motor is operated at an idle or near-idle speed to provide sufficient energy to be converted into electrical energy by the generator, thereby enabling the electrical motor to propel the vehicle in excess of sixty miles per hour, without engaging the internal combustion motor to the wheel and without drawing energy from the battery.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A hybrid power plant for propelling a vehicle, comprising:
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an internal combustion motor; a generator capable of producing electrical energy, mechanically coupled to the internal combustion motor; an electrical motor powered by the generator; and a controller coupled to the generator, providing a control of a rate of electricity provided to the electrical motor by the generator, wherein the electrical motor facilitates rotation of a wheel of the vehicle and the internal combustion motor is operated at a near-idle speed to provide sufficient energy to be converted into electrical energy by the generator, thereby enabling the electrical motor to propel the vehicle in excess of sixty miles per hour, without engaging the internal combustion motor to the wheel and without drawing energy from a battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for propelling a vehicle, comprising:
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operating an internal combustion motor; coupling a generator capable of producing electrical energy to the internal combustion motor; powering an electrical motor powered by the generator; and controlling a rate of electricity provided to the electrical motor by the generator, wherein the electrical motor facilitates rotation of a wheel of the vehicle and the internal combustion motor is operated at a near-idle speed to provide sufficient energy to be converted into electrical energy by the generator, thereby enabling the electrical motor to propel the vehicle in excess of sixty miles per hour, without engaging the internal combustion motor to the wheel and without drawing energy from a battery. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for retrofitting a vehicle having a conventional single mode of propulsion engine to facilitate a hybrid mode of propulsion, comprising:
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coupling a generator capable of producing electrical energy to an existing internal combustion motor in the vehicle; powering an electrical motor by the generator; and controlling a rate of electricity provided to the electrical motor by the generator, wherein the electrical motor facilitates rotation of a wheel of the vehicle and the internal combustion motor is operated at a near-idle speed to provide sufficient energy to be converted into electrical energy by the generator, thereby enabling the electrical motor to propel the vehicle in excess of sixty miles per hour, without engaging the internal combustion motor to the wheel and without drawing energy from a battery. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A hybrid power plant for propelling a vehicle, comprising:
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mechanical means for propulsion; generating means for generating electricity coupled to the mechanical means for propulsion motor; electromechanical means for propulsion powered by the means for generating electricity; and controlling means coupled to the generating means, wherein the controlling means controls a rate of electricity provided to the mechanical means by the generating means, wherein the mechanical means facilitates rotation of a wheel of the vehicle and the mechanical means is operated at a near-idle speed to provide sufficient energy to be converted into electrical energy by the generating means, enabling the electromechanical means to propel the vehicle in excess of sixty miles per hour, without engaging the mechanical means to the wheel and without drawing energy from a battery. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification