Hybrid motor vehicle having an electric motor and utilizing an internal combustion engine for fast charge during cruise mode off condition

• US 5,301,764 A
• Filed: 04/13/1992
• Issued: 04/12/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Conrad O Gardner
• Original Assignee: Conrad O Gardner
• Inventors: Gardner, Conrad O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Focarino, Margaret A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAR, MICHAEL Y
• Application Number:
  US07/867,412
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.2, 180/65.4, 180/65.1, 180/65.3, 180/65.8, 318/587, 364/424.01, 364/431.01
• US Class Current: 180/65.23
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/356 having fluid or electric motor, for driving one or more wheels disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel B60K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/52 Driving a plurality of drive axles, e.g. four-wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/20 DC electrical machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/28 Four wheel or all wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/10 Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/103 Accelerator thresholds, e.g. kickdown
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/143 Speed control B60W30/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/916 with plurality of drive axles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/946 Characterized by control of driveline clutch

Abstract

A hybrid motor vehicle utilizing electric motor propulsion prior to cruise mode detection condition and internal combustion engine propulsion during cruise mode.

Claims

1. In combination in a motor vehicle having a first pair of wheels and a second pair of wheels:

an electric motor for powering said first set of wheels;

a combustion engine for powering said second set of wheels;

an electrical energy storage device for transferring electrical energy to said electric motor;

said electrical energy storage device comprising a fast charge-discharge battery;

a cruise mode control circuit having preprogrammed cruise mode operating conditions which includes a vehicle operating speed exceeding a predetermined level and for a predetermined time interval, said control circuit automatically coupling said electric motor to said first set of wheels when said cruise mode operating conditions have not been satisfied and coupling said combustion engine to said second pair of wheels when said cruise mode operating conditions have been satisfied;

said cruise mode control control circuit controlling said combustion engine to drive an electric power generator for charging said fast charge-discharge battery when said cruise mode conditions have not been satisfied; and

user controlled means bypassing said control circuit for coupling said electric motor to said first set of wheels when said cruise mode conditions have been satisfied.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said fast charge-discharge battery comprises capacitor batteries.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said fast charge-discharge battery comprises nickel cadmium batteries.

4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said fast charge-discharge battery has charge rate characteristics exceeding the charge rate characteristics of lead acid batteries.

5. In combination in a motor vehicle having a first pair of wheels and a second pair of wheels:

an electric motor for powering said first set of wheels;

a quasi constant torque combustion engine for powering said second set of wheels;

an electrical energy storage device for transferring electrical energy to said electric motor;

said electrical energy storage device comprising a fast charge-discharge battery;

an electric power generator;

a cruise mode control circuit having preprogrammed cruise mode operating conditions which includes a vehicle operating speed exceeding a predetermined level and for a predetermined time interval, said control circuit automatically coupling said electric motor to said first set of wheels when said cruise mode operating conditions have not been satisfied and coupling said quasi constant torque combustion engine to said second pair of wheels when said cruise mode operating conditions have been satisfied;

said cruise mode control control circuit coupling said quasi constant torque combustion engine to said electric power generator for charging said fast charge-discharge battery when said cruise mode conditions have not been satisfied; and

user controlled means bypassing said control circuit for coupling said electric motor to said first set of wheels when said cruise mode conditions have been satisfied.