Patent ID: 6734645
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: B60L,Y02T

Abstract:
A power-generating system for an electric-powered vehicle having at least a pair of wheels, comprising:at least first and second discrete battery packs for storing electrical energy; an electrical generating device coupled to at least one of the wheels of the vehicle for generating electricity in response to rotation of said one wheel; an electric motor connected to another of the wheels for driving said another wheel; discrete battery-charging electrical circuits coupling said generating device and said battery packs including a first switch for selectively charging said first and second battery packs through the discrete battery charging electrical circuits, respectively; discrete electrical driving circuits coupled to said electric motor and said battery packs including a second switch for electrically driving said motor using stored electrical energy (i) from said first battery pack when said first switch connects said generating device and said second battery pack and said second switch connects said motor and said first battery pack and (ii) from said second battery pack when said first switch connects said generating device and said first battery pack and said second switch connects said motor and said second battery pack, respectively.