Fuel efficient and inexpensive automobile

• US 6,179,078 B1
• Filed: 04/10/2000
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gregorio M. Belloso
• Original Assignee: Gregorio M. Belloso
• Inventors: Belloso, Gregorio M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KLEBE, GERALD B
• Application Number:
  US09/546,401
• Time in Patent Office: 295 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.1, 180/65.2, 180/65.3, 180/65.4, 180/65.6, 180/65.8, 180/69.6, 180/297, 180/350, 180/351, 180/907, 180/60, 477/2, 477/3, 477/54.1, 477/59, 477/60, 477/61, 477/62
• US Class Current: 180/69.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/00 Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00; electric transmission arrangements B60K17/12; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles per se B60L; current-collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/04 characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of gearing electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/02 of initiating means or elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 5/08 comprising more than one engine
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

An automotive wheeled vehicle of light weight and improved fuel efficiency has first and second laterally opposed drive wheels mounted upon a stationary axle positioned transversely to the direction of vehicle motion, each of the drive wheels being driven by separate and independent internal combustion engines to provide controlled forward motion of the vehicle. An electric motor provides controlled reverse motion of the vehicle. One engine serves as a primary engine, and the second engine serves to provide auxiliary power when the primary engine is operating.

Claims

1. An automotive vehicle having a chassis, at least one front wheel, and first and second laterally opposed drive wheels mounted upon a stationary axle disposed orthogonally to the direction of vehicle motion, said vehicle further comprising:

a) brake drums affixed to said drive wheels in facing relationship,

b) wheel sprockets fixedly mounted on said brake drums and a drive chain engaging each of said wheel sprockets,

c) a primary internal combustion engine having a rotating output shaft coupled by a continuously variable ratio first torque converter to the drive chain associated with said first drive wheel to impart forward propulsive movement to said vehicle,

d) a secondary internal combustion engine having a rotating output shaft coupled by a continuously variable ratio second torque converter to the drive chain associated with said second drive wheel to augment the forward propulsive movement provided by said primary engine,

e) pedals associated with said chassis for selectively activating either said primary engine by itself or both engines at once, and

f) an electric motor coupled to one of said drive wheels in a manner to impart reverse movement to said vehicle.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 further provided with first and secondary jack shafts journaled to said chassis in parallel relationship to said output shafts and adapted to be separately and independently rotated by said torque converters, said jack shafts having drive sprockets mounted thereupon which engage said drive chains.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 having two front wheels and two rear wheels, said four wheels being disposed in a rectangular array.

4. The vehicle of claim 3 wherein said rear wheels are the drive wheels.

5. The vehicle of claim 3 wherein said front wheels are the drive wheels.