Regenerative self propelled vehicles

• US 7,416,039 B1
• Filed: 09/20/2002
• Issued: 08/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald C. Anderson, Edmund S. Lee III
• Original Assignee: Donald C. Anderson, Edmund S. Lee III
• Inventors: Anderson, Donald C., Lee, Edmund S. III
• Primary Examiner(s): VANAMAN, FRANK BENNETT
• Application Number:
  US10/251,945
• Time in Patent Office: 2,167 Days
• Field of Search: 180/165, 180/65.1, 180/65.3, 180/65.6, 180/65.7
• US Class Current: 180/165
• 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 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/30 characterised by chargeable mechanical accumulators, e.g. flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/92 Energy efficient charging or discharging systems for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors specially adapted for vehicles

Abstract

An electric motor powered vehicle includes an energy reservoir provided by a battery-mass flywheel having a diameter approximately equal to the vehicle lateral wheel spacing, allowing a compact configuration. The flywheel may include a pair of counter rotating wheels mounted on concentric shafts and may be enclosed in a containment device. A shoe-rail electrical connection facilitates transfer of current to and from the batteries. The flywheel may include fuel cells charged from a remote hydrogen source. Flywheel, alternator and friction braking may be controlled by pedal movement. Energy may be transferred to the battery mass flywheel independently of vehicle motor drive. The motor-flywheel drive connections are made through inputs to a differential gear drive. The fuel cells may charge the batteries, and a second alternator may recover flywheel energy at vehicle shut-down.

Claims

1. A self propelled vehicle comprising

wheel means for supporting the vehicle for movement along a surface;

electric motor means for powering motive operation of the vehicle;

an electric current source for energizing the motor means;

a regenerative system for recapturing energy that would otherwise be lost in the operation of the vehicle;

said regenerative system including,

a flywheel,

mounted for rotation about a flywheel axis spaced from the motor means and having a fixed relation to said vehicle, and

having means for mounting the electric current source thereon;

conductive means for providing an electrical connection between the electric current source and the motor means, said conductive means comprising

a pair of axially spaced, circumferential, conductive rails, mounted for rotation with the flywheel,

means for electrically interconnecting said electric current source and said rails, to establish one of said rails at a positive potential relative to the other rail,

shoe support structure having a fixed relation relative to said rails,

a pair of conductive shoes mounted on the shoe support structure, and respectively engaging each of said rails, and

means for transferring the potential across the rotating rails from the shoes to the motor means.

2. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 1, wherein

the electric motor means, includes a drive connection with said wheel means, for powering motive operation of the vehicle;

and

the vehicle further comprises

a second electric current source, and

wherein

the regenerative system further comprises

a second flywheel

mounted for counter rotation about said flywheel axis, and having

means for mounting the second electric current source thereon; and

further comprising

a second electrical conductive means, for providing an electrical connection between the second current source and the motor means, said second electrical conductive means comprising

a second pair of axially spaced, circumferential, conductive rails, mounted for rotation with said second flywheel, and

means for electrically interconnecting said second electric current source and said second pair of rails, to establish one of said second rails at a positive potential relative to the other second rail; and

a second pair of conductive shoes, mounted on the shoe support structure, and respectively engaging the second pair of rails, and

means for transferring the potential across the second pair of rails from the second pair of shoes to the motor means; and

further wherein

said flywheels are rotatable independently of the drive connection from the motor means to the wheel means.

3. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 2, further comprising

a containment device defining a chamber in which the flywheels are mounted,

said containment device including a wall portion spaced radially outwardly from said flywheels, and

wherein

the shoe support structure is mounted on the outwardly spaced wall portion of said containment device.

4. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 2, wherein

said flywheels each have cavities in which the electric current sources thereof are disposed, and

the first and second electric current sources each comprise a plurality of voltaic cells,

and

further comprising

means for recharging the voltaic cells to regeneratively recapture energy, which means include

alternator means for generating alternating current, said alternator means being mounted in fixed relation to the flywheel axis, and

recharging conductor means for making a connection between the alternator means and the voltaic cells,

wherein

the recharging conductor means also include said shoes and said circumferential rails.

5. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 4, wherein

each flywheel is formed, at least in part by resinous, dielectric material, which defines annular chamber means, and

the chamber means for each flywheel comprise a plurality of chambers defined by

an outer, cylindrical rim,

an inner, cylindrical shell,

a pair of axially spaced discs that are joined by the rim and inner shell,

thereby providing a dielectric casing for the voltaic cells of each flywheel, and

the mass of the voltaic cells for each flywheel, constitutes the major portion of the mass of that flywheel.

6. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 2, further characterized in that

the first electric current source is a battery array comprised of a plurality of voltaic cells, and

said second electric current source is a fuel cell array comprised of a plurality of voltaic cells.

7. A low profile, self propelled, subcompact vehicle comprising

an occupant compartment which includes

a driver'"'"'s seat and a passenger seat in side by side relation;

wheel means for supporting the vehicle for movement along a surface and comprising

a pair of laterally spaced, front wheels, and

a pair of laterally spaced, rear wheels, aligned with and spaced rearwardly from the front wheels;

electric motor means for powering motive operation of the vehicle;

an electric current source for energizing the motor and

a regenerative system for recapturing energy that would otherwise be lost in the operation of the vehicle;

said regenerative system including,

flywheel means for storage of kinetic energy, said flywheel means including

a flywheel,

disposed in the lowermost portions of the vehicle

mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, and

having the electric current source mounted thereon;

characterized in that

the seats overlie, a forward portion of the flywheel means, and

the forward portion of the occupant compartment is at a level beneath the upper level of the flywheel means, to provide leg room and support the feet of occupants.

8. A low profile, self propelled, subcompact vehicle as in claim 7, further characterized in that

the flywheel means include

a containment device defining a chamber in which the flywheel is disposed.

9. A low profile, self propelled, subcompact vehicle as in claim 8, further characterized in that

the electric current source comprises a plurality of voltaic cells;

and

the flywheel means include

a second flywheel forming a pair of flywheels

mounted for counter-rotation about said vertical axis, and

having cavity means for receiving the voltaic cells.

10. A low profile, self propelled subcompact vehicle as in claim 7, further characterized in that

the diameter of the flywheel means approximates the lateral spacing between said front and rear wheels, thereby further facilitating maximization of the electrical capacity of the said energy source and the kinetic energy capacity of the flywheel means.

11. A low profile, self propelled, subcompact vehicle as in claim 7, wherein

the regenerative system further comprises

a drive train for drivingly interconnecting the wheel means and the flywheel means, whereby kinetic energy may be transferred to and from the flywheel means, and

the drive train extends between the vertical outline of the seats.

12. A low profile, self propelled, subcompact vehicle as in claim 7, further comprising

a cargo compartment to the rear of the side-by-side seats and overlying said flywheel means.

13. A low profile, self propelled, subcompact vehicle as in claim 12, wherein

the electric current source comprises

an array of batteries;

the electric motor means is

an alternating current motor;

the regenerative system comprises

alternator means for generating alternating current; and

further including

inverter means for converting the alternating current generated by the alternator means into direct current for recharging the batteries and for converting direct current from the batteries into alternating current for energizing the motor means, and

signal generating means for controlling operation of the regenerative system, further characterized by

a compartment underlying one of said seats, outwardly of the containment device and between the upper and lower levels thereof, in which the inverter means and signal generating means are disposed.

14. A low profile, self propelled, subcompact vehicle comprising

a body portion which includes

an occupant compartment comprising

a driver'"'"'s seat and a passenger seat in side-by-side relation;

wheel means for supporting the vehicle for movement along a surface and further comprising

a pair of laterally spaced, front wheels, and

a pair of laterally spaced, rear wheels;

electric motor means for powering motive operation of the vehicle;

the motor means includes a motor drive train;

an electric current source for energizing the motor and

a regenerative system for recapturing energy that would otherwise be lost in the operation of the vehicle, said regenerative system including,

flywheel means for storage of kinetic energy, and

a regenerative drive train for transferring energy to the flywheel means in decelerating the vehicle,

wherein

the regenerative drive train is disposed horizontally in a lower portion of the body portion,

the electric energy source is carried by the flywheel means, and

characterized in that

the flywheel means

is disposed in the body portion beneath the regenerative drive train,

has a vertically disposed rotational axis, and

the diameter of the flywheel means approximates the lateral spacing between said front and rear wheels,

thereby enabling maximization of the capacity of the electric energy source.

15. A low profile, self propelled, subcompact vehicle as in claim 14, further comprising

a second electric energy source;

further characterized in that

the flywheel means include

a pair of flywheels

mounted for counter-rotation about a common, vertical axis, and

having the electric energy sources respectively mounted thereon.

16. A self propelled vehicle comprising

chassis means for providing structural support for functional components of the vehicle;

wheel means for supporting the vehicle for movement along a surface,

said wheel means being supported by the chassis means;

electric motor means for powering motive operation of the vehicle;

an electric current source for energizing the motor means; and

a regenerative system for recapturing energy that would otherwise be lost in the operation of the vehicle, said regenerative system including

flywheel means for storage of kinetic energy, and comprising

a flywheel,

a containment device defining a chamber, and

means for journaling said flywheel for rotation within the containment device wherein the electric current source is carried by the flywheel, and

characterized in that

the containment device is defined, at least in part, by a portion of the chassis means and at least a portion of the containment device forms part of the load bearing structure of the chassis means, and

a portion of the containment device is removable from the chassis means to provide access to the flywheel.

17. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 16, wherein

the wheel means comprise

a pair of laterally spaced, front wheels,

a pair of laterally spaced rear wheels, aligned with and spaced rearwardly from the front wheels;

the axis of rotation of the flywheel is vertically disposed;

the flywheel means further comprise

a second flywheel, and

means for journaling said second flywheel for counter rotation with respect to the first flywheel within said flywheel chamber, about said vertical axis, and

the containment device comprises

an upper cover,

a casing, and

a lower cover,

all joined together to define said chamber;

characterized in that

the casing is formed by portions of the chassis means,

the upper cover is secured to portions of the chassis means, and constitutes a load bearing component of the chassis means; and

further characterized

in that the flywheels are supported from the upper cover, and

in that the means for journaling said first and second flywheels are carried by said upper and lower covers.

18. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 17, further characterized in that

the rear wheels are mounted on a portion of the chassis means, which portion is mounted on a rearwardly facing portion of the upper cover.

19. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 17, wherein

the regenerative system further includes a drive train for providing a drive connection between the flywheel means and the front wheels, and

the drive train includes

a variable ratio drive transmission,

further characterized in that

the variable ratio drive transmission is mounted on and supported by the upper cover of the containment device.

20. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 17, wherein

the regenerative system further includes

a drive train for drivingly interconnecting the wheel means and the flywheel means, whereby kinetic energy may be transferred to and from the flywheel means, said drive train including

a miter gear set,

disposed above and supported by the containment device,

means for providing a drive connection between said flywheels and said miter gear set, and

an input/output shaft connectable with the wheel means to provide a drive connection with said miter gear set.

21. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 20, further characterized in that

the lower cover of the containment device is removable to provide access to the flywheel means, and

the flywheel means are accessible and removable for replacement or repair, once said lower cover is removed.

22. A self propelled vehicle having

wheel means for supporting the vehicle for movement along a surface;

said wheel means comprising

a pair of laterally spaced, front wheels,

a pair of laterally spaced, rear wheels, spaced rearwardly from the front wheels;

electric motor means for powering motive operation of the vehicle;

an electric current source for energizing the motor means,

an occupant compartment including

a driver'"'"'s seat and a passenger seat in side-by-side relation; and

a regenerative braking system for recapturing energy that would otherwise be lost in decelerating the vehicle, said regenerative system including

flywheel means for storage of kinetic energy, including

a flywheel mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, and on which the electric current source is mounted; and

a flywheel drive train for drivingly interconnecting the front wheels and the flywheel, whereby kinetic energy may be transferred to and from the flywheel,

said flywheel drive train being shiftable between

an engaged state in which energy is transferred between the wheel means and the flywheel and

a disengaged state in which the flywheel may rotate independently of wheel means movement,

characterized in that

a portion of the flywheel drive train overlies the flywheel means and extends between the vertical outlines of the driver'"'"'s seat the passenger seat.

23. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 22, wherein

the electric current source comprises

a plurality of voltaic cells;

the flywheel is formed, at least in part, by resinous, dielectric material, which material defines chamber means for receiving said voltaic cells, and

said voltaic cells are disposed in said chamber means with the dielectric material functioning as a casing for the voltaic cells, and

further characterized in that

the mass of the voltaic cells constitutes the major portion of the mass of the flywheel.

24. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 22, further comprising

a differential gear set including output shafts for driving the front wheels;

and

the motor means include

an electric motor, and

a motor drive input from said motor to said differential gear set; and

said flywheel drive train includes a drive connection with said differential gear set to thereby provide a connection between the flywheel and the front wheels.

25. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 24, further characterized in that

a variable ratio drive transmission is provided in said flywheel drive train, and

further includes

selectively actuated means for setting said transmission in

(a) a braking mode in which power is transmitted from the front wheels to the flywheel to thereby transfer kinetic energy of forward motion into stored kinetic energy in the rotating flywheel, or

(b) an energy recovery mode in which power is transmitted from the flywheel to the front wheels to thereby transfer kinetic energy from the flywheel and provide motive energy for vehicle movement.

26. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 22, further characterized in that

a variable ratio drive transmission is provided in said drive train, and

the regenerative braking system further includes

selectively actuated means for setting said transmission in

(a) a braking mode in which power is transmitted from the front wheels to the flywheel to thereby transfer kinetic energy of forward motion into stored kinetic energy in the rotating flywheel, or

(b) an energy recovery mode in which power is transmitted from the flywheel to the front wheels to thereby transfer kinetic energy from the flywheel and provide motive energy for vehicle movement.

27. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 22, wherein

the electric current source comprises

battery means for supplying the electric current;

and

the regenerative system includes

means for recharging the battery means, said recharging means including

an alternator,

further characterized

by means for actuating said alternator to thereby generate electricity and recharge the battery means, when the drive train is in its disengaged state.

28. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 27, further comprising

a variable ratio transmission included in said flywheel drive train;

means for shifting the flywheel drive train between engaged and disengaged states comprising

a clutch disposed between the transmission and the front wheels,

said clutch, when engaged, shifting the flywheel drive train to its engaged state,

said clutch, when disengaged, shifting the flywheel drive train to its disengaged state; and

means, disposed between the transmission and the clutch, for driving the alternator.

29. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 28, wherein

a second clutch is provided and disposed between the means for driving the alternator and the variable ratio transmission, and

further comprising

means for selectively engaging and disengaging the first mentioned clutch and said second clutch,

whereby flywheel energy may drive the alternator to recover energy stored in the flywheel or the alternator may be driven from the front wheels to decelerate the vehicle, or flywheel energy may be used to drive the wheel means.

30. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 28, wherein

said flywheel drive train further includes

selectively actuated means for setting said transmission in

(a) a braking mode in which power is transmitted from the front wheels to the flywheel to thereby transfer kinetic energy of forward motion into stored kinetic energy in the rotating flywheel, or

(b) an energy recovery mode in which power is transmitted from the flywheel to the front wheels to thereby transfer kinetic energy from the flywheel to provide motive energy of vehicle movement;

and

further comprising

a power demand pedal;

means, responsive to displacement of the demand pedal, for energizing the motor means;

a brake pedal;

friction braking means for deceleration of the vehicle;

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal through an initial range of movement from a rest position for engaging said clutch when the transmission in its braking mode, thereby invoking flywheel braking; and

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal to a position beyond the initial range of movement, for

actuating operation of the friction braking means, and

disengaging the clutch to thereby terminate flywheel braking.

31. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 28, further comprising

a power demand pedal;

means, responsive to displacement of the demand pedal, for energizing the motor means from the electric current source;

friction braking means for effecting deceleration of the vehicle;

a brake pedal;

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal, for engaging said clutch to place the flywheel drive train in its engaged state and thereby transfer energy from the wheel means to the flywheel to provide flywheel deceleration of the vehicle;

means for sensing overspeed operation of the flywheel; and

means responsive to sensing of overspeed operation of the flywheel, for

(a) disengaging said clutch to shift the flywheel drive train to its disengaged state,

and

(b) simultaneously actuating the friction braking means,

whereby there is a seamless and controlled deceleration of the vehicle.

32. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 27, wherein

the alternator has a rotor which is rotated to generate electricity, and further characterized in that

the rotor of the alternator is incorporated in and forms a portion of the drive train, and

the means for actuating the alternator to generate electricity include

means for field excitation and means for generating a field excitation signal.

33. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 27, wherein the alternator comprises

a rotor and a stator;

and

further characterized in that

the alternator rotor is drivable in response to rotation of said flywheel.

34. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 33, further characterized by

means for drivingly engaging the alternator rotor with the flywheel, and

the means for actuating the alternator to generate electricity include

means for field excitation, and

means for generating a field excitation signal.

35. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 33, wherein

the alternator rotor is a magnetic component and the alternator stator is a field component,

further characterized in that

the magnet component is mounted on the flywheel and rotates therewith, and

the field component is mounted in relatively fixed relation with respect to the magnet component and in electromagnetic reaction relation therewith, and

the means for actuating the alternator to generate electricity include

means for field excitation and

means for generating a field excitation signal.

36. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 35, wherein the flywheel means further comprises

a containment device defining a chamber in which the flywheel is mounted, and

further wherein

the field component of the alternator is mounted on the containment device.

37. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 22, further comprising a power demand pedal;

means, responsive to displacement of the demand pedal, for energizing the motor means from the electric current source;

friction braking means for effecting deceleration of the vehicle;

a brake pedal;

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal, for shifting the flywheel drive train to its engaged state and transferring energy from the wheel means to the flywheel to thereby provide flywheel deceleration of the vehicle,

means for sensing overspeed operation of the flywheel; and

means responsive to sensing of overspeed operation of the flywheel, for

(a) shifting the flywheel drive train in its disengaged state, and

(b) simultaneously actuating the friction braking means,

whereby there is a seamless and controlled deceleration of the vehicle.

38. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 22, further comprising

a power demand pedal;

means, responsive to displacement of the demand pedal, for energizing the motor means;

friction braking means for decelerating the vehicle;

a brake pedal;

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal through an initial range of movement, for

shifting the flywheel drive train to its engaged state and

transferring energy from the wheel means to the flywheel, thereby providing flywheel braking; and

means responsive to displacement of the brake pedal to a position beyond the initial range of movement, for actuating the friction braking means.

39. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 22, wherein

the electric current source comprises battery means for supplying the electric current;

the regenerative system further includes

means for recharging the battery means including an alternator; and

alternator braking means including a selectively actuatable alternator driving connection from the wheel means to the alternator;

and further comprises

friction braking means for decelerating the vehicle; and

selectively actuatable means for;

a. placing the flywheel drive train in an engaged state to transfer energy from the wheel means to the flywheel, thereby invoking flywheel braking,

b. actuating the alternator driving connection, to thereby invoke alternator braking, and

c. actuating the friction braking means to provide a more positive rate of deceleration,

whereby a full range of braking capability is provided, while maximizing the amount of energy that can be recaptured for operation of the vehicle.

40. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 39, further comprising

a clutch, which, when engaged, shifts the flywheel drive train to its engaged state;

a brake pedal;

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal through an initial range of movement, for engaging said clutch;

means responsive to displacement of the brake pedal through a further range of movement for actuating said alternator means; and

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal beyond said further range of movement, for actuating the friction braking means.

41. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 40, further comprising

means for sensing flywheel speed, and

means responsive to sensing of flywheel speed exceeding a predetermined maximum, for disengaging said clutch to thereby prevent further increases in flywheel speed.

42. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 39, wherein

the alternator driving connection, at least in part, is included in the flywheel drive train, and further includes

a first clutch disposed between the alternator driving connection and the wheel means;

and

a second clutch disposed between the flywheel and the alternator driving connection;

said flywheel drive train being in its engaged state when both of said clutches are engaged; and

said vehicle further comprises

a brake pedal;

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal through an initial range of movement, for engaging both of said clutches;

means responsive to displacement of the brake pedal through a further range of movement for actuating said alternator driving connection; and

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal beyond said further range of movement, for

(a) disengaging at least one of said clutches and

(b) actuating the friction braking means.

43. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 39, further comprising

an electrodynamic device having

(a) a motor mode which provides said electric motor means, and

(b) an alternator mode which provides said alternator means;

the flywheel drive train and the motor drive train are provided at least in part by

a bidirectional drive connection between the electrodynamic device and the front wheels,

a power demand pedal;

means responsive to displacement of the power demand pedal for

(a) placing the electrodynamic device in its motor mode, and

(b) connecting said device to said current source thereby powering operation of the vehicle;

a clutch, which, when engaged, shifts the flywheel drive train to its engaged state,

a brake pedal;

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal through an initial range of movement, for engaging said clutch;

means responsive to displacement of the brake pedal through a further range of movement for placing the electrodynamic device in its alternator mode; and

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal beyond said further range of movement, for actuating the friction braking means.

44. A self propelled vehicle comprising

wheel means for supporting the vehicle for movement along a surface,

electric motor means for powering motive operation of the vehicle;

an electric current source for energizing the motor means; and

a regenerative braking system for recapturing energy that would otherwise be lost in decelerating the vehicle, and said system including

flywheel means comprising

a pair of flywheels

counter-rotatable about a vertical axis,

with each flywheel having a portion of the electric current source carried thereon,

a drive train for drivingly interconnecting the wheel means and the flywheels, and

a containment device defining a chamber in which said flywheels are disposed,

wherein said drive train includes

a central flywheel shaft to which the lower flywheel is attached,

a tubular flywheel shaft disposed concentrically of the central flywheel shaft and to which the upper flywheel is attached,

a horizontal input/output shaft for transmitting power to and from the flywheels, said input/output shaft being vertically offset to one side of the flywheels, and

gear means, also disposed to said one side of the flywheels, for transmitting power between the flywheel shafts and the input/output shaft.

45. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 44, further including

a sealed lubrication chamber in which the gear means are disposed,

characterized in that

the lubrication chamber is defined by

an upper portion of the containment device and

a housing mounted thereon.

46. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 44, wherein

the containment device comprises

a top cover,

a casing, and

a bottom cover,

and further characterized in that

the tubular shaft is journaled on and supported by the top cover,

the central shaft is journaled within and supported by the tubular shaft,

the lower cover is removable from the casing to provide access to the flywheels,

the lower flywheel is removable from the central shaft to provide access to the upper flywheel, and

the upper flywheel is removable from the tubular shaft,

whereby the flywheels may be accessed for repair and replacement.

47. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 46, further

comprising

a chassis for structurally supporting functional components of the vehicle, and

the top cover is supported by and forms a structural portion of the chassis.

48. A self propelled vehicle comprising

wheel means for supporting the vehicle for movement along a surface;

electric motor means for powering motive operation of the vehicle;

an electric current source for energizing the motor means; and

a regenerative braking system for recapturing energy that would otherwise be lost in decelerating the vehicle, and which includes

a rotatable flywheel

on which the electric current source is mounted; and

a flywheel drive train connectable to the wheel means to provide a drive connection with the flywheel;

said vehicle further including

friction braking means for decelerating the vehicle comprising

a brake pedal;

said regenerative braking system further including

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal from a rest position, for connecting said flywheel drive train to the wheel means and thereby effecting deceleration of the vehicle, as vehicle kinetic energy is transformed into rotational kinetic energy in the flywheel;

means for sensing overspeed operation of the flywheel; and

means, responsive to the sensing of overspeed operation, for preventing transfer of further energy to the flywheel, and

invoking friction braking as the means of vehicle deceleration in response to displacement of the brake pedal.

49. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 48, wherein the means for preventing transfer of energy and invoking friction braking comprise

means, operative when the drive train is connected to the flywheel, for disconnecting the drive train from the wheel means and

means, operative when the drive train is disconnected from the wheel means, for preventing the drive train from being connected to the wheel means.

50. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 48, further comprising

means, operative in response to displacement of the brake pedal beyond an initial range of movement, for invoking friction braking as the means of vehicle deceleration in response to displacement of the brake pedal.

51. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 48, wherein

the drive train includes,

a variable ratio transmission;

the means for connecting the drive train to the wheel means comprise

a clutch engageable to connect the drive train to the wheel means;

the means responsive to displacement of said brake pedal include

means for engaging said clutch, and

means for adjusting the ratio across of said transmission in direct proportion to the extent to which the brake pedal is displaced through an initial range of movement; and

the friction braking means exerts a deceleration force also proportional to the extent to which the brake pedal is displaced,

thereby further facilitating a seamless and controlled deceleration of the vehicle.

52. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 51, further including

means for preventing reengagement of said clutch prior to the brake pedal returning to its rest position.

53. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 48, wherein

the electric current source comprises batteries;

the regenerative braking system further comprises

alternator means for recharging the batteries; and

means for actuating said alternator means to invoke alternator braking and

provide an additional deceleration force as braking energy is transformed into chemical energy.

54. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 53, further comprising

an electrodynamic device having

a motor mode, which provides said motor means, and

an alternator mode which provides said alternator means.

55. A self powered vehicle as in claim 48, further including

a power demand pedal;

means, responsive to displacement of the demand pedal, for providing a power demand signal, which signal is proportionate to the extent to which the demand pedal is displaced;

means, operative in response to said power demand signal, for connecting said flywheel drive train to said wheel means and employing flywheel energy as motive power for the vehicle; and

means, operative in response to said power demand signal, for powering vehicle from the electric motor means, when the kinetic energy of the flywheel is insufficient to provide the power input established by the power demand signal.

56. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 48 wherein

the wheel means include

a laterally spaced pair of front wheels;

and

further comprises

a differential gear set interconnecting said front wheels; and

means for connecting the flywheel drive train to the differential gear set; and

further wherein

the electric motor means for powering the vehicle include

a drive connection from said motor means to said differential gear set.

57. A self propelled vehicle comprising

wheel means for supporting the vehicle for movement along a surface;

electric motor means for powering motive operation of the vehicle;

an electric current source for energizing the motor means,

a regenerative braking system for decelerating the vehicle and recapturing energy that would otherwise be lost in deceleration of the vehicle;

said regenerative system including,

a rotatable flywheel, and

means for providing a drive connection from the wheel means to the flywheel

and thereby transferring vehicle kinetic energy to rotational kinetic energy in the flywheel, thus effecting deceleration of the vehicle;

further comprising

friction braking means for deceleration of the vehicle;

a brake pedal;

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal through an initial range of movement from a rest position, for engaging the means for providing a drive connection from the wheel means to the flywheel and thereby invoking flywheel braking; and

means responsive to displacement of the brake pedal to a position beyond the initial range of movement, for actuating operation of the friction braking means.

58. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 57, further characterized by

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal beyond said initial range of movement, for disengaging the drive train connection to said wheel means;

and

means preventing subsequent connection of the drive train to the wheel means prior to the brake pedal returning to its rest position.

59. A self propelled vehicle comprising

wheel means for supporting the vehicle for movement along a surface;

electric motor means for powering motive operation of the vehicle;

battery means for energizing the motor means; and

a regenerative braking system for recapturing energy that would otherwise be lost in deceleration of the vehicle;

said regenerative system including,

alternator means for generating electricity to be used in recharging the battery means, and

means for providing alternator braking, including

means for effecting an alternator drive connection from the wheel means to the alternator means to invoke alternator braking,

wherein vehicle kinetic energy is transformed into electrical energy in effecting deceleration of the vehicle;

a rotatable flywheel; and

means, independent of the alternator drive connection and the motor means, for establishing a flywheel drive connection from the wheel means to the flywheel to invoke flywheel braking

whereby vehicle kinetic energy is transformed into rotational kinetic energy in the flywheel in effecting deceleration of the vehicle;

said vehicle further including

friction braking means for decelerating the vehicle; and

means for selectively invoking

a. alternator braking,

b. flywheel braking, and

c. friction braking;

thereby providing a full range of braking capability, while maximizing the amount of energy that can be recaptured for operation of the vehicle.

60. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 59, further comprising

a brake pedal;

and wherein

said selectively invoking means include

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal through a given range of movement for invoking flywheel braking and alternator braking, and

means responsive to displacement of the brake pedal beyond said given range of movement for invoking friction braking.

61. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 60, wherein

the means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal through a given range of movement, include

means, responsive to initial displacement of the brake pedal, for first invoking flywheel braking.

62. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 61, wherein

the means for establishing a flywheel drive connection comprises

a variable ratio transmission, and

further including

means for adjusting the variable ratio transmission to transfer energy to the flywheel at a rate proportionate to the extent of the brake pedal displacement.

63. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 61, further comprising

means for detecting rotation of said flywheel at a predetermined speed which is designated as the maximum safe operating speed;

and

means, responsive to detection of the flywheel speed reaching the maximum safe operating speed, for preventing further transfer of energy to the flywheel.

64. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 63, further comprising

means, operative after the flywheel speed has reached said maximum safe operating speed, for preventing flywheel braking to be subsequently invoked, until the flywheel speed has been reduced to a predetermined speed below said maximum safe operating speed,

thereby preventing a hunting action between flywheel braking and friction braking.

65. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 59, further including

a control system having an off state and an on state;

and

means for recharging said battery means when the control system is switched from its on state to its off state when there is rotational energy in said flywheel,

said means including

at least a portion of the alternator means, and

means, operative in response to the control system being switched from on to off, for powering at least a portion of said alternator means from the flywheel.

66. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 65, further comprising

an electrodynamic device having an alternator mode and a motor mode;

and

means for providing a bidirectional drive connection between the wheel means and the electrodynamic device;

wherein

said motor means including the electrodynamic device when it is in its motor mode;

said alternator means comprise

said electrodynamic device when it is in its alternator mode, and

a secondary alternator powered from the flywheel when the control system is in its off state.

67. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 65, further comprising

a drive train for establishing a drive connection between the flywheel and the wheel means, and wherein

the alternator means comprises an alternator drivingly connectable to said wheel means, and

said alternator is powered from said flywheel when the control system is switched to its off state.

68. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 59, further including

a power demand pedal;

means, responsive to displacement of the demand pedal, for providing a power demand signal, which signal is proportionate to the extent to which the demand pedal is displaced;

means, operative in response to said power demand signal, for connecting said flywheel drive connection to said wheel means and employing flywheel energy as motive power input for the vehicle; and

means, operative in response to said power demand signal, for powering the vehicle from the electric motor means, when the kinetic energy of the flywheel is insufficient to provide the power input established by the power demand signal,

whereby battery charge/discharge cycles are minimized as regenerative braking is first invoked as a transfer of kinetic energy to the flywheel and then that kinetic energy is recaptured in providing motive power for the vehicle.

69. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 68, further comprising

a second flywheel contra-rotatable coaxially of said first mentioned flywheel;

and

the wheel means include

a pair of laterally spaced, front wheels; and

further including

a differential gear set to which the front wheels are drivingly connected;

means providing a drive input from said electric motor means to said differential, and

further wherein

the means for establishing a drive connection from the wheel means includes a drive connection between said differential gear set and both of said flywheels.

70. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 59, wherein

the battery means are carried by the flywheel.

71. A self propelled vehicle comprising

wheel means for supporting the vehicle for movement along a surface;

electric motor means for powering motive operation of the vehicle;

an electric current source for energizing the motor means;

a motor drive train for providing, when actuated, a drive input from said motor means to the wheel means to thereby power movement of the vehicle; and

a regenerative braking system, which recaptures energy that would otherwise be lost in decelerating the vehicle, said regenerative system including,

flywheel means for storage of kinetic energy, and

a regenerative drive train, independent of the motor drive train, and

connectable to the wheel means, to selectively provide one of either

(a) a flywheel braking mode in which power is transmitted from the wheel means to the flywheel means to thereby transfer kinetic energy of forward motion into stored kinetic energy in the flywheel means, or

(b) an energy recovery mode in which power is transmitted from the flywheel means to the wheel means to thereby transfer kinetic energy from the flywheel means to provide motive energy for vehicle movement; and

further characterized in that

at least a substantial portion of the electric current source is carried by the flywheel means so that the mass of the flywheel means includes at least a substantial portion of the mass of the electric current source.

72. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 71, wherein

said wheel means comprise

a pair of front wheels and

a pair of rear wheels;

and

further including

a differential gear set including output shafts for driving one pair of said pair of wheels, and further wherein

the regenerative drive train and the motor drive train are both connectable to said one pair of wheels through the differential gear set.

73. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 71, wherein

the flywheel means comprise

a flywheel formed, at least in part, by resinous, dielectric material, which defines annular chamber means for receiving the current source, and

the electric current source comprises

a plurality of voltaic cells disposed in said annular chamber means with the dielectric material functioning as a casing therefor.

74. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 71, wherein

the electric current source is in the form of a direct current source;

and

the flywheel wheel means comprise

a flywheel

mounted for rotation about a flywheel axis disposed in fixed, spaced

relation from the motor means, and

having means for mounting the direct current source thereon; and

further comprising

conductive means for providing an electrical connection between the electrical current source and the motor means, said conductive means comprising

a pair of axially spaced, circumferential, conductive rails mounted for rotation with the flywheel, and

further

means for electrically interconnecting said direct current source and said rails, to establish one of said rails at a positive potential relative to the other rail;

shoe support structure having a fixed relation relative to said rails,

a pair of conductive shoes mounted on said shoe support structure, and, respectively engaging each of said rails, and

means for transferring the potential across the rotating rails from the shoes to the motor means.

75. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 71, in the form of a subcompact car,

further comprising

an occupant compartment including

a driver'"'"'s seat and a passenger seat in side by side relation;

and

wherein

the wheel means comprise

a pair of laterally spaced, front wheels, and

a pair of laterally spaced, rear wheels, spaced rearwardly from the front wheels; and

the flywheel means are

disposed in the lowermost portions of the car and

mounted for rotation about a vertical axis;

characterized in that

the seats overlie, a forward portion of the flywheel means, and

the forward portion of the occupant compartment is at a level beneath the upper level of the flywheel means, to provide leg room and support the feet of occupants.

76. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 71 in the form of a subcompact car,

further comprising

an occupant compartment which includes

a drivers seat and a passenger seat in side by side relation;

and

wherein

the wheel means comprise

a pair of laterally spaced, front wheels, and

a pair of laterally spaced, rear wheels, spaced rearwardly from the front wheels;

characterized in that

the motor drive train and regenerative drive train are disposed horizontally in a lower portion of the vehicle;

the flywheel means is disposed in a lowermost portion of the vehicle;

has a vertically disposed rotational axis; and

the diameter of the flywheel means approximates the lateral spacing between said front and rear wheels,

thereby enabling maximization of the electrical capacity of the electric current source, with a low vehicle profile.

77. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 71, further comprising

chassis means for providing structural support for the functional components of the vehicle;

wherein

said wheel means are supported by the chassis means, and

the flywheel means comprise

a flywheel, a containment device defining a chamber, and means for journaling said flywheel for rotation within the containment device characterized in that

the containment device is defined, at least in part, by a portion of the chassis means and at least a portion of the containment device forms part of the load bearing structure of the chassis means.

78. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 71, wherein

the wheel means comprise

a pair of laterally spaced, front wheels, and

a pair of laterally spaced, rear wheels, spaced rearwardly from the front wheels;

and

further comprising

an occupant compartment including

a driver'"'"'s seat and a passenger seat in side-by-side relation; and

characterized in that

a portion of the regenerative drive train overlies the flywheel means and extends between the vertical outline of the driver'"'"'s seat and the passenger seat.

79. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 71 wherein

the wheel means comprise

a pair of laterally spaced, front wheels, and

a pair of laterally spaced, rear wheels, spaced rearwardly from the front wheels;

and

further comprising

an occupant compartment including

a driver'"'"'s seat and a passenger seat in side-by-side relation; and

characterized in that

a portion of the regenerative drive train overlies the flywheel means and extends between the vertical outline of the driver'"'"'s seat the passenger seat;

the flywheel means comprise

a pair of flywheels counter rotatable about a vertical axis, and

a containment device defining a chamber in which said flywheels are disposed; and

wherein said regenerative drive train includes

a central flywheel shaft to which the lower flywheel is attached,

a tubular flywheel shaft

disposed concentrically of the central shaft,

supported from the containment device, and

to which the upper flywheel is attached,

an input/output shaft for transmitting power to and from the flywheels, and

gear means for transmitting rotation between the flywheel shafts and the input/output shaft.

80. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 71 wherein

the flywheel means comprise

a pair of flywheels counter rotatable about a vertical axis, and

further comprising

a containment device defining a chamber in which said flywheels are disposed;

and

further wherein said regenerative drive train includes

a central flywheel shaft to which the lower flywheel is attached,

a tubular flywheel shaft to which the upper flywheel is attached,

said tubular flywheel shaft being rotatably mounted on and supported from the containment device,

said central flywheel shaft being disposed within said tubular shaft, rotatably mounted thereon and supported therefrom,

an input/output shaft for transmitting power to and from the flywheels, and

gear means for transmitting rotation between the flywheel shafts and the input/output shaft.

81. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 71, further comprising

friction braking means for decelerating the vehicle;

and

a brake pedal; and

wherein

the regenerative braking system includes

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal from a rest position, for connecting said regenerative drive train to the wheel means, thereby invoking flywheel braking as vehicle kinetic energy is transformed into rotational kinetic energy in the flywheel means;

means for sensing overspeed operation of the flywheel means; and

means, responsive to the sensing of overspeed operation, for preventing transfer of further energy to the flywheel means, and

invoking friction braking as the means of vehicle deceleration in response to displacement of the brake pedal.

82. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 71 further comprising

friction braking means for deceleration of the vehicle;

a brake pedal;

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal through an initial range of movement from a rest position, for connecting the regenerative drive train to wheel means,

thereby invoking flywheel braking as vehicle kinetic energy is transformed into rotational kinetic energy in the flywheel; and

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal to a position beyond the initial range of movement, for invoking operation of the friction braking means.

83. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 71, wherein

the electric current source comprises battery means for energizing the motor means;

and

said regenerative braking system further includes,

alternator means for generating electricity to be used in recharging the battery means, and

means for providing alternator braking, including

means for effecting a drive connection from the wheel means to the alternator means so that vehicle kinetic energy is transformed into electrical energy in effecting deceleration of the vehicle; and

the vehicle further includes

friction braking means for deceleration of the vehicle; and

means for selectively invoking

a. alternator braking,

b. flywheel braking, and

c. the friction braking,

thereby providing a full range of braking capability, while maximizing the amount of energy that can be recaptured for operation of the car.

84. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 83, further comprising

a brake pedal, and wherein

said means for selectively invoking include

means, responsive to displacement of the brake pedal through a given range of movement for invoking flywheel braking and alternator braking, and

means responsive to displacement of the brake pedal beyond said given range of movement for invoking friction braking.

85. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 71, further including

a power demand pedal;

means, responsive to displacement of the demand pedal, for providing a power demand signal, which signal is proportionate to the extent to which the demand pedal is displaced;

means, operative in response to said power demand signal, for connecting said regenerative drive train to said wheel means in its energy recovery mode thereby employing flywheel energy as motive power for the vehicle; and

means, operative in response to said power demand signal, for powering the vehicle from the electric motor means, when the kinetic energy of the flywheel is insufficient to provide the power input established by the power demand signal,

whereby battery charge/discharge cycles are minimized as regenerative braking is first invoked as a transfer of kinetic energy to the flywheel and then that kinetic energy is recaptured in providing motive power for the vehicle.

86. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 85, further comprising

means, operative

(a) in the absence of displacement of the power demand pedal and

(b) when the flywheel speed exceeds a predetermined intermediate value, for transforming flywheel energy into chemical energy through recharging the battery means,

whereby the flywheel speed may be maintained at a value providing both an energy reserve for powering the vehicle and a reservoir for receiving energy to provide a braking function.

87. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 71 wherein

the electrical energy source comprises battery means for energizing the motor means, and

further including

a control system having an off state and an on state;

means driven from the flywheel means for recharging the battery means; and

means for actuating said battery recharging means in response to the control system being switched from its on state to its off state when there is rotational energy in said flywheel.

88. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 71, wherein

the electric current source comprises battery means for energizing the motor means;

the regenerative drive train is disconnectable from said wheel means; and

the regenerative braking system includes

means for recharging the battery means, said recharging means including

an alternator driven from the regenerative drive train,

further characterized

by means, for powering said alternator from the flywheel means, when the drive train is disconnected from the wheel means, to thereby recapture braking energy as chemical energy.

89. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 88 further characterized by

a variable ratio transmission in said regenerative drive train;

means for connecting the regenerative drive train to the wheel means, comprising

a clutch disposed between the transmission and the front wheels,

said clutch, when engaged, connecting the drive train to the wheel means,

said clutch, when disengaged, disconnecting the drive train from the wheel means; and

means, disposed between the transmission and the clutch, for driving the alternator.

90. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 89, further comprising

a second clutch disposed between the means for driving the alternator and the variable ratio transmission;

and

means for selectively engaging and disengaging the first mentioned clutch and said second clutch,

whereby flywheel energy may drive the alternator to recover energy stored in the flywheel means or the alternator may be driven from the front wheels to decelerate the vehicle, or flywheel energy may be used to drive the wheel means.

91. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 90 wherein

the alternator has a rotor which is rotated to generate electricity, and

further characterized in that

the rotor of the alternator is incorporated in and forms a portion of the regenerative drive train, and

the means for actuating the alternator to generate electricity include field excitation means and means for generating a field excitation signal.

92. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 88, further characterized in that

the alternator is driven in response to rotation of said flywheel means.

93. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 92, wherein

the alternator has a stator and rotor, and

further characterized by

means for drivingly engaging the alternator rotor with the flywheel means.

94. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 92, wherein

the alternator comprises a field component and a magnet component,

further characterized in that

the magnet component is mounted on the flywheel means and rotates therewith

and the field component is mounted in relatively fixed relation with respect to the magnet component and in electromagnetic reaction relation therewith.

95. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 94, wherein the flywheel means further comprises

a containment device defining a chamber in which the flywheel means are mounted, and

further wherein

the field component of the alternator is mounted on the containment device.

96. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 71, wherein

the electric current source comprises

battery means;

and further including

an electrodynamic device having

an alternator mode, and

a motor mode; and

means for recharging said battery means, wherein

the motor drive train includes

means for utilizing the electrodynamic device, when it is in its motor mode, as

the motor means for powering the vehicle; and

the recharging means include

means for driving the electrodynamic device through the motor drive train,

when it is in its alternator mode, from the wheel means, to thereby provide alternator braking as an additional form of regenerative braking.

97. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 96, wherein

the regenerative system further comprises

a secondary alternator;

and

means for

selectively driving the secondary alternator from the flywheel means, and

recharging the battery means from current generated by the secondary alternator.

98. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 96,

said wheel means comprise

a pair of front wheels and

a pair of rear wheels;

and

further including

a differential gear set including means for driving one pair of said pair of wheels;

a mechanical integrator having

a bidirectional drive connection with said differential,

a bidirectional drive connection with said electrodynamic device, and

a bidirectional drive connection with the regenerative drive train; and

means for selectively actuating said mechanical integrator in

(a) a motor powered mode in which the electrodynamic device is in its motor mode and power is transmitted to the differential gear set to power operation of the vehicle,

(b) a flywheel power delivery mode in which kinetic energy from the flywheel means is transmitted to the differential gear set to power operation of the vehicle,

(c) a flywheel braking mode in which vehicle energy from the differential powers the regenerative drive train,

(d) an alternator braking mode in which vehicle energy from the differential powers the electromagnetic device when it is in its alternator mode.

99. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 98 further comprising

means for selectively actuating said mechanical integrator in a hybrid delivery mode in which

the electrodynamic device is in its motor mode and power is transmitted to the differential gear set, and

kinetic energy from the flywheel means is also transmitted to the differential gear set,

to power operation of the vehicle.

100. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 98, further comprising

means for actuating said mechanical integrator in a battery recharging mode in which

flywheel energy is transmitted to the electrodynamic device, when it is in its alternator mode, to thereby recharge the battery means.

101. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 98, further comprising

friction braking means,

a brake pedal, and

means responsive to initial displacement of the brake pedal for

(a) invoking the flywheel braking mode,

(b) invoking alternator braking mode, when a substantial quantum of energy has been transferred to the flywheel means, including means for selectively actuating said mechanical integrator in a dual braking mode wherein vehicle energy from the differential powers the electromagnetic device when it is in its alternator mode and also powers the flywheel means;

means for disengaging the regenerative drive connection with said mechanical integrator to thereby prevent further transfer of kinetic energy to the flywheel means when the flywheel means has reached a maximum safe operating speed; and

means responsive to additional movement of said pedal for actuating the friction braking means.

102. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 101, further comprising

a power demand pedal, and

means, responsive to displacement of the power demand pedal, for selectively actuating said mechanical integrator in

(a) its flywheel power delivery mode when there is substantial kinetic energy in the flywheel means, and

(b) also in its motor powered mode when flywheel energy is insufficient to meet a power demand established by displacement of the power demand pedal.

103. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 96, wherein

said wheel means comprise

a pair of front wheels and

a pair of rear wheels;

and

further including

a differential gear set including means for driving one pair of said pair of wheels;

the means for utilizing the electrodynamic device as the motor means includes means for providing a power input from the electrodynamic device to the differential and

the means for driving the electrodynamic device from the wheel means includes means for driving the electrodynamic device from the differential.

104. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 71, wherein

the electric current source comprises an array of batteries and an array of fuel cells.

105. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 104, wherein

the battery array is carried by the flywheel means so that the mass of the flywheel means includes the mass of the battery array;

and

further comprising

a power demand pedal; and

means responsive to displacement of the power demand pedal for

(a) energizing said motor means from said fuel cell array,

(b) actuating said energy recovery mode, and

(c) also energizing the motor means from the battery array to provide additional energy for acceleration of the vehicle.

106. A self propelled vehicle comprising

wheel means for supporting the vehicle for movement along a surface,

said wheel means comprising

a pair of front wheels, and

a pair of rear wheels;

a differential gear set including output shafts for driving one pair of said pair of wheels;

electric motor means for powering motive operation of the vehicle;

an electric current source for energizing the motor means;

a motor drive train for providing, when actuated, a drive input from said motor means to said differential gear set to thereby power movement of the vehicle; and

a regenerative braking system for recapturing energy that would otherwise be lost in decelerating the vehicle;

said regenerative system including,

flywheel means comprising a flywheel rotatable independently of the motor means for storage of kinetic energy, and

a regenerative drive train, connectable to said differential to selectively provide

(a) a flywheel braking mode in which power is transmitted from the wheel means to the flywheel means to thereby transfer kinetic energy of forward motion into stored kinetic energy in the flywheel means, and

(b) an energy recovery mode in which power is transmitted from the flywheel means to the wheel means to thereby transfer kinetic energy from the flywheel means to provide motive energy for vehicle movement; and

further wherein

the electric current source is carried by the flywheel means so that the mass of the flywheel means includes the mass of the electric current source.

107. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 106, wherein

the electric current source comprises

battery means;

and

further including

an electrodynamic device having

an alternator mode, and

a motor mode;

means for powering operation of the vehicle including

means for actuating the motor drive train when the electrodynamic device in its motor mode; and

means for recharging said battery means, including

means for driving the electrodynamic device, when it is in its alternator mode, from the differential to thereby provide alternator braking as an additional form of regenerative braking.

108. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 107, further comprising

a secondary alternator, and

flywheel powered means for driving said secondary alternator and recharging said battery means.

109. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 108, further comprising

an ignition system having

an on position in which signals are generated to control operation of the vehicle, and

an off position in which the vehicle is out of service;

and

means, responsive to the ignition system being switched from its on position to its off position, for actuating the flywheel powered recharging means.

110. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 107, further comprising

a mechanical integrator, and

wherein

the motor drive train includes means for transmitting power from the electrodynamic device to the differential;

the means for driving the wheel means includes means for transmitting power from the differential to the electrodynamic device; and

the regenerative drive train includes means for transmitting power between the differential and the flywheel means, through the mechanical integrator.

111. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 110, further comprising

a secondary alternator, and

flywheel powered means for driving said secondary alternator and recharging said battery means,

said flywheel powered means including means for transmitting power from the flywheel means through the mechanical integrator when the electrodynamic device is in its alternator mode.

112. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 107, further wherein

the electric current source further comprises an array of fuel cells;

the battery means are carried by the flywheel means so that the mass of the flywheel means includes the mass of the battery means; and

further comprising

a power demand pedal,

means responsive to displacement of the power demand pedal for

(a) energizing said motor means from said fuel cell array,

(b) actuating said energy recovery mode, and

(c) energizing the motor means from the battery array to provide additional energy for acceleration of the vehicle.

113. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 112

at least a portion of the fuel cell array is mounted on the flywheel means;

and

further comprising

a source of gaseous hydrogen remote from the flywheel means;

passageway means extending from hydrogen source to the fuel cell array which is mounted on the flywheel means; and

means for discharging from the flywheel means, water which results from the generation of electricity by the fuel cell array.

114. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 106 wherein

the electric current source comprises battery means for energizing the motor means;

and

further comprising

a secondary alternator;

flywheel powered means for driving said secondary alternator and recharging said battery means; and

an ignition system having

an on position in which signals are generated to control operation of the vehicle, and

an off position in which the vehicle is out of service; and

means, responsive to the ignition system being switched from its on position to its off position, for actuating the flywheel powered means for driving the secondary alternator.

115. A self propelled vehicle comprising

wheel means for supporting the vehicle for movement along a surface;

electric motor means for powering motive operation of the vehicle;

an electric current source for energizing the motor means;

a motor drive train for providing, when actuated, a drive input from said motor means to the wheel means to thereby power movement of the vehicle; and

a regenerative braking system which recaptures energy that would otherwise be lost in decelerating the vehicle;

said regenerative system including

flywheel means for storing kinetic energy, and

a regenerative drive train, connectable to the wheel means, to provide

(a) a braking mode in which power is transmitted from the wheel means to the flywheel means to thereby transfer kinetic energy of forward motion into stored kinetic energy in the rotating flywheel means, or

(b) an energy recovery mode in which power is transmitted from the flywheel means to the front wheels to thereby transfer kinetic energy from the flywheel means to provide motive energy of vehicle movement; and

further wherein

the electric current source comprises

an array of batteries, and

an array of fuel cells, and

the battery array is carried by the flywheel means so that the mass of the flywheel means includes the mass of the battery array; and

further comprising

a power demand pedal; and

means responsive to displacement of the power demand pedal for

(a) energizing said motor means from said fuel cell array,

(b) connecting the regenerative drive train to the wheel means in said energy recovery mode to thereby employ rotational kinetic energy of the flywheel to power motive operation of the vehicle, and

(c) energizing the motor means from the battery array to provide additional energy for acceleration of the vehicle.

116. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 115 further comprising

means for generating a differential signal indicating the magnitude of the difference between the actual speed of the vehicle and the magnitude of desired speed, as reflected by the extent of displacement of said demand pedal, and

means responsive to said differential signal for energizing said motor means from said battery array.

117. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 115, further comprising

means for recharging the batteries by employing electricity from the fuel cell array.

118. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 117, wherein

the regenerative braking system further comprises

an alternator, selectively driven from the wheel means, for recharging the batteries to provide an additional deceleration force as braking energy, and further wherein

the recharging means includes means for limiting the extent of battery recharging thereby to less than a fully charged state,

whereby alternator braking can be effective in transforming kinetic energy into chemical energy.

119. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 115 wherein

the flywheel means comprise

a pair of flywheels, and

the battery and fuel cell arrays are mounted on said flywheels.

120. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 119 wherein

said pair of flywheels are counter-rotatable about a vertical axis, and

wherein said regenerative drive train includes

a central flywheel shaft to which the lower flywheel is attached,

a tubular flywheel shaft to which the upper flywheel is attached,

an input/output shaft for transmitting power to and from the flywheels, and

gear means for transmitting rotation between the flywheel shafts and the input/output shaft;

and

further comprising

a source of gaseous hydrogen remote from the flywheel means;

a hydrogen passageway, extending from the hydrogen source, axially downward through said central shaft, to the fuel cell array; and

a discharge passageway, extending from said fuel cell array, downward through said central shaft, for discharging water which results from the generation of electricity by the fuel cell array.

121. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 115, wherein

the flywheel means comprise a rotatable flywheel;

and

at least a portion of the fuel cell array is mounted on the flywheel; and

further comprising

a source of gaseous hydrogen remote from the flywheel

a hydrogen passageway extending from the hydrogen source to the fuel cell array which is mounted on the flywheel; and

means for discharging water, which results from the generation of electricity by the fuel cell array, from the flywheel.

122. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 121 further comprising

a containment device in which the flywheel is disposed, and

wherein

the means for discharging water comprise

a circumferential gutter formed on the flywheel,

a passageway leading from the fuel cell array to the gutter, and

vacuum means for extracting water from said gutter and directing it outwardly of said containment device.

123. A self propelled vehicle comprising

wheel means for supporting the vehicle for movement along a surface;

electric motor means for powering motive operation of the vehicle;

an electric current source for energizing the motor means;

a motor drive train for providing, when actuated, a drive input from said motor means to the wheel means to thereby power movement of the vehicle; and

flywheel means for the storage of kinetic energy, including a rotatable flywheel;

wherein

the electric current source comprises

an array of fuel cells energizing the motor for steady state operation, and

an array of batteries providing additional motor energy during increased operative loading; and

characterized in that

the fuel cell array is mounted on the flywheel; and

further comprising

means for recharging the batteries by employing electricity from the fuel cell array; and

further characterized by

a source of gaseous hydrogen remote from the flywheel means;

a hydrogen passageway extending from said hydrogen source to the fuel cell array which is mounted on the flywheel; and

means for discharging water, which results from the generation of electricity by the fuel cell array, from the flywheel means.

124. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 123, further comprising

a regenerative braking system which includes

an alternator, selectively driven from the wheel means, to invoke alternator braking and recharge the battery array, and

further wherein

the recharging means includes means for limiting the extent of battery recharging thereby to less than a fully charged state,

whereby alternator braking can be effective in transforming kinetic energy into chemical energy.

125. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 123 wherein

the flywheel means comprise

a pair of flywheels, and

the battery and fuel cell arrays are mounted on said flywheels.

126. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 125 further comprising

a regenerative braking system which recaptures energy that would otherwise be lost in decelerating the vehicle;

and

wherein

said pair of flywheels comprise a portion of a regenerative braking system, and further wherein

said pair of flywheels are counter-rotatable about a vertical axis, and

said regenerative braking system also includes

a central flywheel shaft to which the lower flywheel is attached,

a tubular flywheel shaft to which the upper flywheel is attached,

an input/output shaft for transmitting power to and from the flywheels, and

gear means for transmitting rotation between the flywheel shafts and the input/output shaft; and

also wherein

said hydrogen passageway includes

a passageway extending axially downward through said central shaft, to the fuel cell array; and

the means for discharging water includes

a passageway extending from said fuel cell array downward through said central shaft.

127. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 126 further wherein

the means for discharging water further include

a circumferential gutter formed peripherally of the lower surface of the flywheel on which the fuel cell array is mounted,

a passageway leading from the fuel cell array to the gutter, and

vacuum means for extracting water from said gutter and directing it outwardly of said containment device, while also reducing the pressure within the containment device to also reduce windage losses.

128. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 123, further wherein

the flywheel means comprise

a containment device in which the flywheel is disposed;

and

the means for discharging water from the flywheel means includes

vacuum means for

facilitating the discharge of water outwardly of said containment device and simultaneously reducing the pressure within said containment device to thereby minimize windage losses.

129. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 128, wherein the means for discharging water further comprise

a circumferential gutter formed peripherally of a lower surface of the flywheel,

passageway means leading from the fuel cell array to the gutter, and

the vacuum means extracts water from said gutter.

130. A self propelled vehicle comprising

wheel means for supporting the vehicle for movement along a surface;

electric motor means for powering motive operation of the vehicle;

battery means for energizing said motor means;

a regenerative braking system, which recaptures energy that would otherwise be lost in decelerating the vehicle;

said regenerative system including,

flywheel means, comprising a flywheel rotatable independently of the motor means, for storing kinetic energy,

a regenerative drive train, connectable to the wheel means, to selectively provide a flywheel braking mode in which power is transmitted from the wheel means to the flywheel means to thereby transfer kinetic energy of forward motion into stored kinetic energy in the rotating flywheel means; and

means for returning stored flywheel energy as kinetic motive power for the vehicle;

wherein

at least a substantial portion of the battery means is carried by the rotatable flywheel means so that the mass of the flywheel means includes at least a substantial portion of the mass of the battery means; and

further comprising

means, powered from the flywheel means, for recharging the battery means;

a control system having

an on state in which motive control signals are generated to control motive operation of the vehicle, and

an off state in which the vehicle is out of service; and

means, responsive to the control system being switched from its on state to its off state, for

terminating the generation of motive control signals, and

effecting a drive connection between the flywheel means and the battery recharging means.

131. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 130 further comprising

means for generating a speed signal proportionate to rotational speed of the flywheel means;

and

means responsive to said speed signal indicating a usable quantum of flywheel energy for maintaining the drive connection between the flywheel means and the battery recharging means.

132. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 131 wherein

the means for recharging the battery comprise

a separate alternator responsive only to the control system being switched from its on state to its off state.

133. A self propelled vehicle as in claim 130 wherein

the means for recharging the battery means comprise

means for providing a low trickle rate of charge.