Hybrid vehicles
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method of operation of a hybrid vehicle, comprising steps of:
- storing and supplying electrical power from a battery bank,applying torque to road wheels of said hybrid vehicle from one or both of an internal combustion engine and at least one traction motor, andcontrolling flow of torque between said internal combustion engine, said at least one traction motor, and said road wheels, and controlling flow of electrical power between said battery bank and said at least one traction motor employing a controller, andwherein said controller derives a predicted near-term pattern of operation of said hybrid vehicle by monitoring operation of said hybrid vehicle; and
controls operation of said at least one traction motor and said internal combustion engine for propulsion of said hybrid vehicle responsive to said derived near-term predicted pattern of operation of said hybrid vehicle.
2 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
A hybrid vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, a traction motor, a starter motor, and a battery bank, all controlled by a microprocessor in accordance with the vehicle'"'"'s instantaneous torque demands so that the engine is run only under conditions of high efficiency, typically only when the load is at least equal to 30% of the engine'"'"'s maximum torque output. In some embodiments, a turbocharger may be provided, activated only when the load exceeds the engine'"'"'s maximum torque output for an extended period; a two-speed transmission may further be provided, to further broaden the vehicle'"'"'s load range. A hybrid brake system provides regenerative braking, with mechanical braking available in the event the battery bank is fully charged, in emergencies, or at rest; a control mechanism is provided to control the brake system to provide linear brake feel under varying circumstances.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of operation of a hybrid vehicle, comprising steps of:
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storing and supplying electrical power from a battery bank, applying torque to road wheels of said hybrid vehicle from one or both of an internal combustion engine and at least one traction motor, and controlling flow of torque between said internal combustion engine, said at least one traction motor, and said road wheels, and controlling flow of electrical power between said battery bank and said at least one traction motor employing a controller, and wherein said controller derives a predicted near-term pattern of operation of said hybrid vehicle by monitoring operation of said hybrid vehicle; and controls operation of said at least one traction motor and said internal combustion engine for propulsion of said hybrid vehicle responsive to said derived near-term predicted pattern of operation of said hybrid vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of operation of a hybrid vehicle, comprising steps of:
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storing and supplying electrical power from a battery bank, applying torque to road wheels of said hybrid vehicle from one or both of an internal combustion engine and at least one traction motor, and controlling flow of torque between said internal combustion engine, said at least one traction motor, and said road wheels, and controlling flow of electrical power between said battery bank and said at least one traction motor employing a controller, and wherein said controller predicts a near-term pattern of operation of said hybrid vehicle by monitoring operation of said hybrid vehicle, and predictively controls operation of said at least one traction motor and said internal combustion engine for propulsion of said hybrid vehicle responsive to said predicted near-term pattern of operation of said hybrid vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification