Appeal No. 2004-0058
Application No. 09/728,518
Field's invention relates to a highly efficient electric hybrid propulsion system for
a vehicle, an electric hybrid propulsion system being one in which the vehicle is driven
by an electric motor powered by batteries, the batteries being charged by a generator
powered by a combustion engine. In Field's invention there is an electric motor that is
arranged to drive a vehicle, and there are batteries to power the motor. There is a
combustion engine and means for it to recharge the batteries. However, there is no
generator per se coupled to the engine. Rather, the engine is releasably coupled
mechanically to the electric motor so that the engine power may be selectively applied
toward driving the vehicle mechanically through the motor. When so coupled, and
when operating conditions are such that less power is needed to propel the vehicle than
the engine can develop, its excess power may be automatically applied to charge the
batteries, using the electric motor as a generator. When more propulsion power is
needed than the engine can supply, means are provided whereby the electric motor
working as a motor can supply the balance by drawing on the batteries. This dual use
of the electric motor as a motor and a generator eliminates the need for a separate
generator coupled to the engine to charge the batteries, which saves weight and cost.
The efficiency loss of a separate generator is thus avoided, which adds substantially to
the efficiency of the system.
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