Operating method and system for hybrid vehicle

• US 20100019700A1
• Filed: 07/22/2008
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edward Wayne Mattson
• Original Assignee: Edward Wayne Mattson
• Inventors: Mattson, Edward Wayne
• Granted Patent: US 8,004,219 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/3
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2007/0061 the motor axle being parallel to the wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/52 Driving a plurality of drive axles, e.g. four-wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/0007 the motor being electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/44 Wheel Hub motors, i.e. integrated in the wheel hub
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors

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.

Claims

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.

2. The hybrid power plant of claim 1, wherein the vehicle weighs in excess of 3400 pounds.

3. The hybrid power plant of claim 1, wherein a mileage performance metric per fixed volume of fuel is greater than 60 miles per gallon for a combined highway and city mode of operating the vehicle.

4. The hybrid power plant of claim 1, wherein the electrical motor is attached to a drive shaft of the vehicle.

5. A method for propelling a vehicle, comprising:

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.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the vehicle weighs in excess of 3400 pounds.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein a mileage performance metric per fixed volume of fuel is greater than 60 miles per gallon for a combined highway and city mode of operating the vehicle.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the electrical motor is attached to a drive shaft of the vehicle.

9. A method for retrofitting a vehicle having a conventional single mode of propulsion engine to facilitate a hybrid mode of propulsion, comprising:

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.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the vehicle weighs in excess of 3400 pounds.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein a mileage performance metric per fixed volume of fuel is greater than 60 miles per gallon for a combined highway and city mode of operating the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the electrical motor is attached to a drive shaft of the vehicle.

13. A hybrid power plant for propelling a vehicle, comprising:

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.

14. The hybrid power plant of claim 13, wherein the vehicle weighs in excess of 3400 pounds.

15. The hybrid power plant of claim 13, wherein a mileage performance metric per fixed volume of fuel is greater than 60 miles per gallon for a combined highway and city mode of operating the vehicle.

16. The hybrid power plant of claim 13, wherein the mechanical means is attached to a drive shaft of the vehicle.