Extended range motor vehicle having ambient pollutant processing

• US 7,290,627 B1
• Filed: 06/23/1997
• Issued: 11/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gardner, Conrad Oliver
• Original Assignee: Gardner, Conrad Oliver
• Inventors: Gardner, Conrad Oliver
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): YEAGLEY, DANIEL S
• Application Number:
  US08/896,514
• Time in Patent Office: 3,788 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.1, 180/65.2, 180/65.3, 180/65.4, 180/65.8, 701/22, 701/69
• US Class Current: 180/65.1
• 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 detection condition and internal combustion engine propulsion during cruise mode. The hybrid motor vehicle utilizing an information super highway for system diagnostics or operating mode control as between powering the hybrid motor vehicle by electric motor or internal combustion engine. The exhaust manifold external surface temperature may be utilized to heat a catalyst for processing ambient air surrounding the vehicle.

Claims

1. A controller of a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine (22) and a motor (12) for controlling driving of the engine (22) and the motor (12), comprising

a battery (58) for supplying electric power to the motor (12);

motor-generated driving force transfer means (14) for transferring the driving force generated by the motor (12) to wheels (18);

a power generator (78) driven by the engine (22) to supply generated electric power to the battery (58);

engine-generated driving force transfer means (75) for transferring the driving force generated by the engine (22) to the wheels (28);

means for detecting a vehicle running state (44); and

control means (30) for controlling whether to transfer a driving force generated by an engine (22) to a power generator (78) or wheels (28) in accordance with a vehicle running state, wherein the control means (30) transfers the driving force generated by the engine (22) to wheels (28) when said running state is more than a predetermined value, transfers the driving force generated by the engine (22) to the power generator (78) when said running state is less than a predetermined value.

2. A controller according to claim 1 wherein said control means (30) sets a period for transferring driving forces generated by the engine (22) to wheels (28) when said running state changes from a value less than a predetermined value to a value larger than a predetermined value.

3. A controller according to claim 2 wherein said period is about 45 seconds.

4. A controller according to claim 1 wherein said running state is vehicle speed.

5. A controller according to claim 4 wherein said vehicle speed is about 40 miles per hour.

6. A hybrid motor vehicle comprising in combination:

an engine;

an electric motor;

a storage device;

said electric motor powering said hybrid motor at lower speeds;

said engine powering said vehicle at high speeds; and

said engine operatively connected through a charging path for charging said battery at lower speeds

wherein said speed demands do not drop below 40 mph for predetermined time periods of 45 seconds.