Diesel motor-driven electric drive power train system

A diesel motor-driven electric drive power train system including a diesel engine having a rotatable crankshaft from which a torquing force is output when the engine is energized; an electric generator having a rotatable rotor coupled to the crankshaft of the diesel engine and generating an output electrical current when rotated by the crankshaft; a vehicle frame coupled to the diesel engine and generator and having a wheel rotatably coupled thereto and with the wheel having a central axle shaft extended therefrom; an electric motor coupled to the axle shaft of the wheel for rotating the wheel when electrically energized; and a manually-actuatable three-position gear shift switch mechanism coupled between the generator and the motor and having a first position for energizing the motor to allow the wheel to turn in one direction, and a second position for energizing the motor to allow the wheel to turn in an opposite direction, and a third position for de-energizing the motor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a diesel motor-driven electric drive power 
train system and more particularly pertains to propelling a vehicle with a 
diesel motor-driven electric drive power train system. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The use of power train systems is known in the prior art. More 
specifically, power train systems heretofore devised and utilized for the 
purpose of propelling a vehicle are known to consist basically of 
familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding 
the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been 
developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,970 to Severinsky discloses a hybrid 
electric vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,987 to Abdelnalek discloses a high 
efficiency hybrid car with gasoline engine and electric battery powered 
motor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,641 to McLaughlin discloses a truck/trailer 
control system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,402 to Clark et al. discloses an 
electric hydraulic car. U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,989 to Gruich et al. discloses 
a multi-motor modular electric drive power train system for turbine 
powered vehicles. 
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and 
requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a diesel 
motor-driven electric drive power train system that combines both diesel 
and supplemental electrical power in one integrated system and allows a 
driver to precisely control forward, rearward, or braking motion of each 
wheel of a vehicle with a simple gear shift switch. 
In this respect, the diesel motor-driven electric drive power train system 
according to the present invention substantially departs from the 
conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so 
provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of propelling a 
vehicle. 
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for 
new and improved diesel motor-driven electric drive power train system 
which can be used for propelling a vehicle. In this regard, the present 
invention substantially fulfills this need. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of 
power train systems now present in the prior art, the present invention 
provides an improved diesel motor-driven electric drive power train 
system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will 
be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and 
improved diesel motor-driven electric drive power train system and method 
which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the 
disadvantages. 
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises, in 
combination, a diesel engine having a rotatable crankshaft from which a 
torquing force is output when the engine is energized. An electric 
generator is included and has a rotatable rotor coupled to the crankshaft 
of the diesel engine that generates an output electrical current when 
rotated by the crankshaft. The rotor of the generator also includes a fan 
with a plurality of blades coupled thereto. The rotor is rotated when a 
blowing force of air is placed upon the fan's blades. A vehicle frame is 
also provided and is coupled to the diesel engine and generator. The frame 
has a front pair of wheels and a rear pair of wheels rotatably coupled 
thereto and wherein each wheel has a central axle shaft. 
Also included is an air duct assembly. The assembly has a pair of open 
input ends and a common open output end that is terminated at a location 
adjacent to the blades of the fan of the generator for directing air 
thereto when the vehicle frame is moving forward. An electric motor is 
provided and is coupled to the axle shaft of each wheel for rotating each 
wheel when electrically energized. 
Lastly, a manually-actuatable three-position gear shift switch mechanism is 
included and coupled between the generator and the motors. The switch 
mechanism has a first position for energizing the motors to allow the 
wheels to turn in one direction for moving the vehicle frame forward, and 
a second position for energizing the motors to allow the wheels to turn in 
an opposite direction for moving the vehicle backward, and a third 
position for de-energizing the motors. 
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features 
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that 
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present 
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, 
additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter 
and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention 
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its 
application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the 
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the 
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being 
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood 
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose 
of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon 
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the 
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the 
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, 
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions 
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present 
invention. 
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a 
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of 
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention 
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to 
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved diesel motor-driven electric drive power train system which has 
all the advantages of the prior art power train systems and none of the 
disadvantages. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved 
diesel motor-driven electric drive power train system which may be easily 
and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved diesel motor-driven electric drive power train system which is of 
durable and reliable construction. 
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved diesel motor-driven electric drive power train system which is 
susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and 
labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to 
the consuming public, thereby making such a diesel motor-driven electric 
drive power train system economically available to the buying public. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved diesel motor-driven electric drive power train system which 
provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the 
advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the 
disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved diesel motor-driven electric drive power train system for 
propelling a vehicle. 
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved diesel motor-driven electric drive power train system comprising 
a diesel engine having a rotatable crankshaft from which a torquing force 
is output when the engine is energized; an electric generator having a 
rotatable rotor coupled to the crankshaft of the diesel engine and 
generating an output electrical current when rotated by the crankshaft; a 
vehicle frame coupled to the diesel engine and generator and having a 
wheel rotatably coupled thereto and with the wheel having a central axle 
shaft extended therefrom; an electric motor coupled to the axle shaft of 
the wheel for rotating the wheel when electrically energized; and a 
manually-actuatable three-position gear shift switch mechanism coupled 
between the generator and the motor and having a first position for 
energizing the motor to allow the wheel to turn in one direction, and a 
second position for energizing the motor to allow the wheel to turn in an 
opposite direction, and a third position for de-energizing the motor. 
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various 
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with 
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there 
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts through the various 
Figures. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular, to FIGS. 1, 2, and 6 
thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved diesel 
motor-driven-electric drive power train system embodying the principles 
and concepts of the present invention will be described. 
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a 
plurality of components. In their broadest context, such components 
include a diesel engine, electric generator, vehicle frame with wheels, 
air duct assembly, electric motors, and gear shift switch mechanism. Such 
components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each 
other to provide the intended function of allowing a driver of a vehicle 
such as a truck to control the vehicle's forward or rearward motion. 
Specifically, the present invention includes a diesel engine 10. The diesel 
engine is conventional in design and has a rotatable crankshaft 12 from 
which a torquing force is output when the engine is energized. The 
crankshaft extends outward from the back of the engine block 14. 
In addition, the present invention includes an electric generator 20. The 
generator has a rotatable rotor 22 coupled to the crankshaft 12 of the 
diesel engine 10 with a flywheel 24 and associated bolts 26. The rotor is 
formed of a forwardly extending intermediate shaft 28 axially affixed to a 
rearward shaft 30 with a shaft bolt 32 that can be adjusted through its 
hexagonal head. The rotor is supported for rotation by a forward roller 
bearing 34 and a rearward roller bearing 36. The flywheel is shielded by a 
flywheel housing 38. The generator 20 is shielded by a generator block 40. 
The rotor is shielded from direct contact by a rearward cover 42. The 
generator is formed in a conventional fashion with a coiled rotor armature 
44 in direct opposition to a stator 46. Electrical current is available 
for use from the collector 48 via linkage with the brushes 50, 52. Each 
brush is held by a bracket 54 and associated support 56. The generator 
generates an output electrical current when rotated by the crankshaft 12 
of the diesel engine. The generator also has a fan 58 coupled to the rotor 
between the generator block 40 and diesel engine. The fan has a plurality 
of blades 60 that allow the rotor to be rotated when a blowing force of 
air is placed upon the fan's blades. Both the generator and fans are 
shielded by an outer cover 62 coupled to the flywheel housing 38 with 
bolts 64. The generator block is accessed through a removable cover plate 
66 coupled to the block 40 with bolts 68. The cover plate has a plurality 
of air ducts 70 formed thereon to allow air to exit from side channels 71 
when blown across the fan blades. The brushes 52 are accessible through 
removable brush covers 72. 
A rigid metal vehicle frame 80 is coupled to the diesel engine 10 with a 
forward arm 82 and the generator 20 with a rearward arm 84. The vehicle 
frame is also provided with a front pair of wheels 86 and a rear pair of 
wheels 88, with the rear wheels being placed in a conventional dual-type 
configuration. Each wheel has a central axle shaft 90 extended therefrom 
and supported by a roller bearing 92. Lubrication for each axle is 
provided via oil gasket 94. Each rear wheel is rotatably coupled to the 
frame with a leaf spring 96 and associated spring bracket 98. The front 
wheels are coupled to the frame of a vehicle and turnable through a 
steering rod 100 and ball joint assembly 102. The steering rod and ball 
joint assembly is coupled to the wheel with a pivot bolt 104. 
To provide air to the fan of the generator, an air duct assembly 110 is 
included. The air duct assembly has a pair of rigid metal open input ends 
112 with flanged integral nozzles 114 positioned in a forwardly facing 
arrangement on each side of the diesel engine. The air duct assembly 110 
is terminated at a common output end 116 in communication with the side 
channels 71 at a location adjacent to the blades 60 of the fan of the 
generator. The air duct assembly directs air to the fan when the vehicle 
frame is moving forward. Thus, an additional force for turning the rotor 
is provided to the fan blades as a supplement to that provided by the 
diesel engine. The input ends 112 of the air duct assembly are coupled to 
the forward arm 82 of the frame to hold them in place. 
An electric motor 120 is coupled to an axle shaft 90 of each wheel. Each 
electric motor is conventional in design and is used for rotating each 
wheel when electrically energized. The coupling of the motor to each wheel 
is performed with a ring gear assembly 122, pinions 124, and gear bearings 
126. Output power is supplied from the motor via a motor shaft 128. The 
assembly 112, pinions 124, gear bearing 128, and motor shaft 128 are 
encased in a rigid gear housing 130. Each motor is encased in a motor 
housing 132 and cooled by fan 134. 
To manually actuate the present invention, a gear shift switch mechanism 
140 is coupled between the generator and motors. The gear shift switch 
mechanism includes a manually-actuatable gear shift 142 with handle 144 
and a three-position contactor 146. The contactor is connected to the 
motors and generators with conventional power cables 148. The switch 
mechanism 140 has a first position for energizing the motors to allow the 
wheels 86, 88 to turn in one direction for moving the vehicle frame 
forward. The switch mechanism also has a second position for energizing 
the motors to allow the wheels to turn in an opposite direction for moving 
the vehicle backward. Lastly, a third position is provided for 
de-energizing the motors. 
The present invention includes a frame and drive mechanism for use with a 
vehicle and provides electric current for driving its wheels. The present 
invention is formulated such that there is no need for a clutch, gearbox, 
or associated shafts or differentials that are currently utilized in 
conventional vehicles such as trucks and trailers. Universal joints in the 
present invention would be reduced to two on the axle shafts of the front 
wheels to allow for turning. The present invention will be provided with a 
gear shift switch mechanism for use by a driver and is mounted on the 
floor of a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The gear shift switch 
mechanism activates a contact switch with three positions, with one being 
a forward position for forward motion, a middle position for neutral, and 
a backward position for rearward motion. The contact switch is be 
connected to the motors via conventional power cables. The motors have the 
capability of two phase operation; that is, they are able to supply 
torquing forces in either one direction or another. In the present 
invention, each wheel is coupled with a separate electrical motor receives 
electric current for operation through the manual operation of the gear 
shift. The gear shift be used to actuate forward motion or used as a 
brake. The three-position contact of the gear shift mechanism serves as a 
polarity transformer for the motors and thereby changes the driving sense 
of the truck, depending on the selection of the driver. 
In operation, the diesel engine is actuated by a driver through a standard 
acceleration pedal. The diesel engine will spin the generator and in the 
same will activate a voltage regulator coupled between the generator and 
the motors to ensure a steady level of power to the motors. By supplying 
more acceleration force to the diesel engine, the crankshaft will spin 
faster, and power output to the wheels will via the electric motors 
increases in relative proportion. Thus, as the acceleration pedal is 
pushed, the power to the wheels will be progressively amplified via the 
generator. The generator has had a heavy duty coil armature and multiple 
brushes to supply the required appropriate power. The diesel engine of the 
present invention is conceived for providing output power in the range of 
280-500 horsepower (HP). If the diesel engine is to be of 350 HP, as is 
the preferred embodiment, the generator will have to supply 257.60 
kilowatts at 500 volts and 515.2 amperes. If the generator will be 257.60 
kilowatts at 120 volts, then 2147 amperes are required. The rotational 
rapport between the electric engine and the propelling wheels is 1 
multiplied by 6 or consequently 6.times.35 HP per 1 propelling wheel, 
which multiplied 10 times equals 2100 HP. 
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same 
should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further 
discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the 
manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and 
obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to 
those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modification and 
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired 
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and 
described, and accordingly, all suitable modification and equivalents may 
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.