Patent ID: 7183746
Filing Date: 2007-02-27
Classification: B60K,B60L,H02J,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A charging mechanism aboard an electrically powered vehicle comprising: a) means comprising an engine driving first and second alternators for generating electrical current; b) means connected to said generating means for distributing said generated current; c) first and second battery banks connected in series, each battery bank formed from a plurality of batteries connected in series, each said battery bank having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; d) means for charging said batteries comprising the positive terminal of the first battery bank being connected to an output of said first alternator and said negative terminal of said first battery bank being connected to a first alternator ground isolated from a common motor ground, the positive terminal of the second battery bank being connected to an output of said second alternator and said negative terminal of said second battery bank being connected to a second alternator ground isolated from said common motor ground, the first and second alternator grounds being electrically isolated from each other and the common motor ground; e) means for controlling a voltage level provided by said battery banks to maintain a predetermined voltage level; wherein upon said controlling means detecting a voltage level below said predetermined voltage level, said controlling means causes said generating means to generate electric current to charge said battery banks; f) a DC motor connected to said battery banks through said controlling means for powering said vehicle, said controlling means being connected to said positive terminal of said first battery bank and said negative terminal of said second battery bank, said motor thereby receiving power from said battery packs in series.