Patent ID: 6209672
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: B60K,B60L,B60W,B60Y,F02D,F02N,Y02T,Y10S

Abstract:
A hybrid vehicle, comprising:a controller capable of accepting inputs indicative of vehicle operating parameters and providing control signals in response to a control program;a battery bank;an internal combustion engine;a first electric starting motor electrically coupled to said battery bank for (a) accepting electrical energy from said battery bank and (b) providing electrical energy to said battery bank, and said first motor being mechanically coupled to said internal combustion engine, the combination of said internal combustion engine and said first electric motor being mechanically coupled to a clutch controlled by said controller for controllable torque-transmitting connection between said combination and road wheels of said vehicle,said first motor being responsive to commands from said controller, such that said first electric motor can be controlled to (1) accept torque from said engine to charge said battery bank, (2) accept energy from said battery bank to apply torque to said engine for starting said engine, (3) accept energy from said battery bank to apply torque to said road wheels to propel said vehicle, and (4) accept torque from said road wheels to charge said battery bank; anda second electric traction motor, electrically coupled to said battery bank, such that said second electric motor can be controlled for (a) accepting electrical energy from said battery bank and (b) providing electrical energy to said battery bank, said second motor being directly coupled to road wheels of said vehicle, without a controllable clutch disposed therebetween, such that said second motor is permanently connected to said road wheels for torque transmission therebetween, and said second motor being responsive to commands from said controller in order to (1) accept energy from said battery bank to apply torque to said road wheels to propel said vehicle, and (2) accept torque from said road wheels to charge said battery bank.