DRIVE SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, PARTICULARLY FOR TRUCK-TRAILER AND TRUCK SEMI-TRAILER COMBINATIONS
First Claim
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1. A drive system for a truck and trailer or semitrailer combination requiring more than two axles, comprising:
- a. an internal combustion engine, b. an electric generator arranged to be driven by said engine, c. a plurality of axle-motor units, each unit including an axle and at least one electric motor, each of said axle-motor units being formed as a unitary assembly which can be incorporated in the truck and trailer combination so that the motor drives a wheel of the combination, and which can be removed as a unitary assembly and replaced by another similar unit or by an axle having no motor associated with it, and d. means for transmitting electricity from said generator to said motors.
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Abstract
A drive system for a truck and trailer combination including an internal combustion engine driving an electric generator. A plurality of axle-motor units are provided, each formed as a unitary assembly including an axle and at least one electric motor. The electric motors are energized by the generator and serve to drive the wheels of the truck and trailer combination. The engine may be a single shaft gas turbine.
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4 Claims
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1. A drive system for a truck and trailer or semitrailer combination requiring more than two axles, comprising:
- a. an internal combustion engine, b. an electric generator arranged to be driven by said engine, c. a plurality of axle-motor units, each unit including an axle and at least one electric motor, each of said axle-motor units being formed as a unitary assembly which can be incorporated in the truck and trailer combination so that the motor drives a wheel of the combination, and which can be removed as a unitary assembly and replaced by another similar unit or by an axle having no motor associated with it, and d. means for transmitting electricity from said generator to said motors.
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2. A drive system as defined in claim 1 wherein said electricity-transmitting means includes electric cables, and a readily separable plug and receptacle between each cable and one of said axle-motor units.
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3. A drive system as defined in claim 1 wherein said internal combustion engine is a single shaft gas turbine.
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4. A drive system as defined in claim 1 wherein the driving power of the electric motor of each of said axle-motor units is related to the load-bearing capacity of the axle of that unit so that the motor power of each axle-motor unit is sufficient to drive the load capable of being supported by its axle.
Specification