Novel hybrid electric vehicle

• US 4,438,342 A
• Filed: 05/01/1981
• Issued: 03/20/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1980
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Keith E. Kenyon
• Original Assignee: Keith E. Kenyon
• Inventors: Kenyon, Keith E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truhe, J. V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wade, Shelley
• Application Number:
  US06/259,518
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 310/43, 310/46, 310/68 R, 310/152, 310/156, 290/45, 318/139, 180/65 R
• US Class Current: 290/45
• 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 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/15 with additional electric power supply with capacitors charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/40; with batteries charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/61
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/916 with plurality of drive axles

Abstract

By utilizing, in a hybrid (electrical-heat engine) vehicle an alternator which is totally free of elemental iron in its magnetic circuit, the alternator (with appropriate rectification means) can be connected, selectively, in series, parallel or in lieu of the storage battery pack for activating the electrical motor which drives the wheels of the vehicle or any other load mechanically coupled to the electrical motor. Quick surges of power can thus be delivered to the load to achieve, for example, rapid acceleration of a vehicle.

Claims

1. A hybrid heat-engine, electrical motor power plant, including:

a heat engine having a first output shaft;

an electrical motor having input terminals for connection to a source of electrical power and having a second output shaft for coupling to a mechanical load;

an electrical alternator having electrical output terminals and an input shaft mechanically coupled to said first output shaft for driving said alternator from said heat engine;

rectifying means electrically coupled to said electrical output terminals of said alternator and responsive to alternating current from said alternator to produce direct current;

battery means having power terminals;

switcher means having first input terminals coupled to said rectifying means, second input terminals coupled to said power terminals of said battery means and output terminals;

coupling means for coupling said output terminals of said switcher means to said input terminals of said electrical motor;

switcher control means coupled to said switcher and responsive to the activation thereof to selectively connect said battery means and said rectifying means in a predetermined electrical mode across said output terminals of said switcher means;

said electrical alternator having no elemental iron in its magnetic circuit.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said coupling means includes a variable resistor.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said predetermined electrical mode is electrical series.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said switcher control means is a remote switch.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said switcher control means includes a foot pedal and a switch activated thereby.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said switcher includes at least one electromechanical relay.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said switcher includes a plurality of thyristors.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said alternator has a permanent-magnetfield.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which said permanent-magnet field includes ceramic-ferrite magnets.