VEHICLE POWER SYSTEM FOR LIMITED VEHICLE MOVEMENT WITHOUT USE OF FUEL

• US 3,882,950 A
• Filed: 07/11/1972
• Issued: 05/13/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James Neil Strohlein
• Original Assignee: James Neil Strohlein
• Inventors: Strohlein, James Neil
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Milton L.
• Application Number:
  US05/270,867
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 180/54R,65A,1R 74/751,843,856,859,DIG.11,572 192/.033,.077 60/6 123/179J
• US Class Current: 180/165
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/105 the accumulator being a flywheel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

A vehicle power system which consists of a primary source of power for driving a vehicle and means for withdrawing surplus power from this primary source during the operation of the vehicle and storing said surplus power in a flywheel operatively connected to the drive train of the vehicle at selected times, preferably under those operating conditions when the prime motive force of the vehicle does not operate efficiently, such as in stop-and-go traffic. Control means are provided to permit automatic sensing of vehicle motions and to selectively connect the stored energy source or flywheel to the vehicle drive train to cause movement of the vehicle, while interrupting operation of the primary source of power, such as the vehicle engine. Additional control means are employed to sense the amount of energy stored in the stored energy source or flywheel (i.e., energy reservoir) and to automatically cause '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'recharging'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' of the energy reservoir when the stored energy source falls below a predetermined level.

Claims

1. A power system for a vehicle having a body and a power-responsive motion producing means connected with the body for producing movement thereof, said power system including, engine means for operative connection with the motion producing means to supply power thereto for movement of the body, power takeoff means connected with said engine means for diverting a portion of the power output of said engine means, mechanical power storage means, connected with said power takeoff means, for accumulating and storing the power diverted by said power takeoff means in an amount sufficient to propel said vehicle for limited distances when the velocity of said vehicle has diminished to a predetermined speed, or from a standstill, utilizing only said accumulated power, and first selectively operable power connection means, independent of said power takeoff means, for operatively connecting only said mechanical power storage means directly with the motion producing means to supply stored power to the motion producing means when the speed of said vehicle is less than the predetermined speed while simultaneously rendering said engine means inoperative.

2. A power system as defined in claim 1 wherein, said power storage means includes flywheel means for storing mechanical rotational energy, and second selectively operable power connection means for connecting said power takeoff means with said flywheel means to supply stored power.

3. A power system as defined in claim 2 including, auxiliary power supply means adapted to be selectively coupled to said flywheel means when the energy stored by said flywheel means is insufficient to move said vehicle and said flywheel is uncoupled from said second power connection means.

4. A power system as defined in claim 3 wherein, said auxiliary power supply means is an electric motor operated by the vehicle battery.

5. A power system as defined in claim 3 including, means for sensing the energy level stored in said flywheel means and for activating the coupling of said auxiliary power supply means to said flywheel means.

6. A power system as defined in claim 2 wherein, said first and second selectively operable power connection means includes, selectively operable clutch means for alternatively connecting said flywheel means to said power takeoff means and said motion producing means.

7. A power system as defined in claim 6 including, means for sensing the forward speed of said vehicle to activate said clutch means to connect said flywheel means to said motion producing means and to disconnect said flywheel means from said power takeoff means, while opening said vehicle ignition circuit to render said engine means inoperative.

8. A power system as defined in claim 7 including, electric circuit means responsive to a predetermined speed of said vehicle for activating said clutch means to connect said flywheel means to said power takeoff means and to disconnect said flywheel means from said motionproducing means, while closing said vehicle ignition circuit to revert said engine means to an operative mode.

9. A power system as defined in claim 8 including, auxiliary power supply means adapted to be selectively coupled to said flywheel means when the energy stored by said flywheel means is insufficient to move said vehicle and said flywheel is uncoupled from said second power connection means.

10. A power system as defined in claim 9 wherein, said auxiliary power supply means is an electric motor operated by the vehicle battery.

11. A power system as defined in claim 10 including, means for sensing the energy level stored in said flywheel means and for activating the coupling of said auxiliary power supply means to said flywheel means.