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Operation of a range extended electric vehicle

  • US 8,346,419 B2
  • Filed: 09/26/2008
  • Issued: 01/01/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system integrated into an electric vehicle, the system comprising:

  • a motor, said motor providing propulsion power to said electric vehicle;

    a battery coupled to the motor and providing energy to the motor;

    a fuel burning engine coupled to a generator, said fuel selected from the group consisting of fossil fuels, synthetic fuels and bio-fuels, and wherein said generator provides charging energy for the battery;

    an engine control circuit to power on the fuel burning engine when it receives an engine control signal;

    a state of charge circuit configured to monitor a battery state of charge and preprogrammed to provide said engine control signal in accordance with an operational mode, wherein said operational mode is selected from at least a first operational mode and a second operational mode, and whereinthe state of charge circuit in the first operational mode provides the engine control signal when the battery state of charge falls below a first state of charge and until the battery state of charge reaches a second state of charge, wherein said second state of charge is higher than said first state of charge, andthe state of charge circuit in the second operational mode provides the engine control signal when the state of charge is falls below a third state of charge and until the battery state of charge reaches a fourth state of charge, wherein said fourth state of charge is higher than the third state of charge, and wherein both said third state of charge and said fourth state of charge are lower than both the first state of charge and the second state of charge;

    a user interface coupled to the state of charge circuit to receive a user command to select said operational mode for the state of charge circuit, wherein said operational mode is selected from at least said first operational mode and said second operational mode; and

    wherein said operational mode is selected from at least said first operational mode, said second operational mode and a third operational mode, wherein said state of charge circuit in said third operational mode provides the engine control signal when the state of charge falls below a fifth state of change and until the battery state of charge reaches a sixth state of charge, wherein said fifth and sixth states of charge are lower than said first and second states of charge, and wherein said fifth and sixth states of charge are higher than said third and fourth states of charge.

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