Big wheel motive power source

• US 7,478,693 B1
• Filed: 07/15/2004
• Issued: 01/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brent Edward Curtis
• Original Assignee: Brent Edward Curtis
• Inventors: Curtis, Brent Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis; Christopher P
• Assistant Examiner(s): EBNER, KATY MEYER
• Application Number:
  US10/892,342
• Time in Patent Office: 1,650 Days
• Field of Search: 180/165, 180/54.1, 180/65.1, 745/721, 310/74
• US Class Current: 180/165
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/105 the accumulator being a flywheel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

A big wheel motive power source is provided. The big wheel motive power source comprises a large mass wheel capable of rotation and having a mass comprising at least one-third the weight of a vehicle in which it is located, or at least twice the weight of a conventional engine for that vehicle. A small horsepower, continuously running engine is operably connected to the large mass wheel and generates the rotation of large mass wheel. The large mass wheel may be further connected to at least one driven wheel, whereby the rotation of the large mass wheel provides a primary motive power source for a vehicle. A ratchet-type worm engaged drive, a control system, and a exhaust removal system are also disclosed for use with the present inventive device.

Claims

1. A big wheel motive power source comprising:

a wheel capable of rotation and having a weight comprising at least one of at least one-third the weight of a vehicle in which it is located or at least twice the weight of a conventional engine for said vehicle;

a small horsepower, continuously running engine operably connected to said wheel for generating the rotation of said wheel;

at least one driven wheel operably attached to said wheel, wherein said wheel rotation provides a primary motive power source for said driven wheel of said vehicle; and

at least one of a transmission and a ratchet-drive operably connected between said small horsepower engine and said wheel, wherein said transmission comprises an automatic transmission having a plurality of speeds.

2. The big wheel motive power source of claim 1, further comprising a centrifugal clutch.

3. The big wheel motive power source of claim 1, further comprising an oil bath bearing.

4. The big wheel motive power source of claim 1, further comprising a gear system having a first pulley operably linked to a second pulley, said gear ratio between said first pulley and said second pulley comprising a geared up ratio of 4:

1.

5. The big wheel motive power source of claim 1, wherein said small horsepower engine comprises a throttle.

6. The big wheel motive power source of claim 1, wherein said small horsepower engine further comprises an internal combustion engine.

7. The big wheel motive power source of claim 1, wherein said small horsepower engine further comprises a renewable fuel engine.

8. The big wheel motive power source of claim 7, wherein said renewable fuel engine comprises an electric engine.

9. The big wheel motive power source of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a low friction bearing, a clutch, a gear system, and a gearbox and differential operably connected between said wheel and said driven wheel.

10. The big wheel motive power source of claim 9, wherein said low friction bearing comprises an oil bath bearing.

11. The big wheel motive power source of claim 9, wherein said gear system comprises a first pulley operatively linked to a second pulley, said gear ratio between said first pulley and said second pulley comprising a geared down ratio of 1:

5.

12. The big wheel motive power source of claim 9, wherein said gearbox and differential comprise a gearbox and differential for a front wheel drive vehicle.

13. The big wheel motive power source of claim 1, wherein said wheel is enclosed within a housing.

14. A big wheel motive power source comprising:

a wheel capable of rotation and having a weight comprising at least one of at least one-third the weight of a vehicle in which it is located or at least twice the weight of a conventional engine for said vehicle;

a small horsepower, continuously running engine operably connected to said wheel for generating the rotation of said wheel;

at least one driven wheel operably attached to said wheel, wherein said wheel rotation provides a primary motive power source for said driven wheel of said vehicle; and

at least one of a transmission and a ratchet-drive operably connected between said small horsepower engine and said wheel, wherein said ratchet-drive comprises a worm engaged, ratchet-type drive.

15. The big wheel motive power source of claim 14, further comprising a centrifugal clutch.

16. The big wheel motive power source of claim 14, further comprising an oil bath bearing.

17. The big wheel motive power source of claim 14, further comprising a gear system having a first pulley operably linked to a second pulley, said gear ratio between said first pulley and said second pulley comprising a geared up ratio of 4:

1.

18. The big wheel motive power source of claim 14, wherein said small horsepower engine comprises a throttle.

19. The big wheel motive power source of claim 14, wherein said small horsepower engine further comprises an internal combustion engine.

20. The big wheel motive power source of claim 14, wherein said small horsepower engine further comprises a renewable fuel engine.

21. The big wheel motive power source of claim 20, wherein said renewable fuel engine comprises an electric engine.

22. The big wheel motive power source of claim 14, further comprising at least one of a low friction bearing, a clutch, a gear system, and a gearbox and differential operably connected between said wheel and said driven wheel.

23. The big wheel motive power source of claim 22, wherein said low friction bearing comprises an oil bath bearing.

24. The big wheel motive power source of claim 22, wherein said gear system comprises a first pulley operatively linked to a second pulley, said gear ratio between said first pulley and said second pulley comprising a geared down ratio of 1:

5.

25. The big wheel motive power source of claim 22, wherein said gearbox and differential comprise a gearbox and differential for a front wheel drive vehicle.

26. The big wheel motive power source of claim 14, wherein said wheel is enclosed within a housing.

27. A big wheel motive power source comprising:

a wheel capable of rotation and having a weight comprising at least one of at least one-third the weight of a vehicle in which it is located or at least twice the weight of a conventional engine for said vehicle;

a small horsepower, continuously running engine operably connected to said wheel for generating the rotation of said wheel;

at least one driven wheel operably attached to said wheel, wherein said wheel rotation provides a primary motive power source for said driven wheel of said vehicle; and

a slip clutch operably connected between said wheel and said driven wheel.

28. The big wheel motive power source of claim 27, wherein said slip clutch is operably connected to a vehicle accelerator.

29. The big wheel motive power source of claim 27, further comprising an oil bath bearing.

30. The big wheel motive power source of claim 27, further comprising a gear system having a first pulley operably linked to a second pulley, said gear ratio between said first pulley and said second pulley comprising a geared up ratio of 4:

1.

31. The big wheel motive power source of claim 27, wherein said small horsepower engine comprises a throttle.

32. The big wheel motive power source of claim 27, wherein said small horsepower engine further comprises an internal combustion engine.

33. The big wheel motive power source of claim 27, wherein said small horsepower engine further comprises a renewable fuel engine.

34. The big wheel motive power source of claim 33, wherein said renewable fuel engine comprises an electric engine.

35. The big wheel motive power source of claim 27, further comprising at least one of a low friction bearing, a clutch, a gear system, and a gearbox and differential operably connected between said wheel and said driven wheel.

36. The big wheel motive power source of claim 35, wherein said low friction bearing comprises an oil bath bearing.

37. The big wheel motive power source of claim 35, wherein said gear system comprises a first pulley operatively linked to a second pulley, said gear ratio between said first pulley and said second pulley comprising a geared down ratio of 1:

5.

38. The big wheel motive power source of claim 35, wherein said gearbox and differential comprise a gearbox and differential for a front wheel drive vehicle.

39. The big wheel motive power source of claim 27, wherein said wheel is enclosed within a housing.