Extended range motor vehicle having ambient pollutant processing

• US 20120022736A1
• Filed: 08/30/2011
• Published: 01/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1992
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gardner, Conrad Oliver
• Original Assignee: Gardner, Conrad Oliver
• Inventors: Gardner, Conrad Oliver
• Application Number:
  US13/199,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20120022736A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/442 Series-parallel switching type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/52 Driving a plurality of drive axles, e.g. four-wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/12 Induction machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/20 DC electrical machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/36 Temperature of vehicle components or parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/443 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/28 Four wheel or all wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0061 relating to electrical machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/13 in order to stay within battery power input or output limits; in order to prevent overcharging or battery depletion
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/068 Engine exhaust temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0694 Engine exhaust temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/143 : Speed control B60W30/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/029 : Adapting to failures or work around with other constraints, e.g. circumvention by avoiding use of failed parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• 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 motor vehicle utilizing electric motor propulsion prior to cruise mode operation and internal combustion engine propulsion during cruise mode. A method of operation comprising rapidly capturing power from a continuously running low horsepower internal combustion engine to charge a fast charge-discharge battery utilizing a generator and and battery charger coupled between the continuously running low horsepower internal combustion engine and the fast charge-discharge battery.

Claims

1. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle having an electric motor and an internal combustion engine power comprising:

a. rapidly capturing power from a continuously running low horsepower internal combustion engine to charge a fast charge-discharge battery; and

,

b. providing instant powerful acceleration while in the cruise mode when the speed of the vehicle is dropping.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein rapidly capturing power from a continuously running low horsepower internal combustion engine comprises:

coupling a generator and battery charger between said continuously running low horsepower internal combustion engine and said fast charge-discharge battery.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said continuously running low horsepower internal combustion engine provides electric power which is converted for storage in said fast charge-discharge battery.

4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein providing instant powerful acceleration while in the cruise mode comprises providing electric power to the electric motor.

5. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said electric power to the electric motor is provided to return said hybrid vehicle to the cruise mode under internal combustion engine power.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said electric motor and said internal combustion engine power separate axles of said hybrid vehicle.

7. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cruise mode occurs when rapidly shifting power and speed demands are not occurring.

8. The invention according to claim 1 wherein propulsion in said cruise mode is provided by a smaller internal combustion engine operating within a small range of speeds about its most efficient operating speed from a power and pollutant output standpoint.

9. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said continuously running low horsepower internal combustion engine is utilized to charge said fast charge-discharge battery when not emplyed to drive said hybrid vehicle.

10. The method of operating a hybrid motor vehicle according to claim 1 further including engine emission analysis.

11. The method of operating a hybrid vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said low horsepower internal combustion engine comprises a low horsepower internal combustion engine 20 to 30 percent of the horsepower of an internal combustion engine powered vehicle.

12. The method of operating a hybrid vehicle according to claim 1 wherein a cruise mode logic control circuit is utilized to provide control while in said cruise mode.

13. The invention according to claim 12 wherein said cruise mode logic control circuit is responsive to a plurality of vehicle operating parameters.

14. The invention according to claim 13 wherein said plurality of vehicle operating parameters include vehicle speed and accelerator pedal information.

15. The invention according to claim 12 wherein said cruise mode logic control circuit comprises a micro processor.

16. The invention according to claim 15 wherein said microprocessor is further utilized to control electrical energy storage.

17. The method of operating a hybrid vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said cruise mode occurs when said hybrid vehicle speed is above about 40 mph.

18. The method of operating a hybrid vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said speed of said vehicle is dropping below about 40 mph.

19. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said fast charge-discharge battery comprises a capacitor battery.