Patent ID: 7201244

Claim:
A method for providing traction for a multi-wheeled heavy-duty materials handling apparatus, comprising the steps of: running an engine; driving a generator from the engine, producing a DC voltage; switching the DC voltage, driving a first switched reluctance (SR) motor, comprising the steps of: calculating a position of a rotor of the SR motor independent of sensors; and turning on and off current through coils of the SR motor responsive to the calculating step; driving a first wheel of the heavy-duty materials handling apparatus by the SR motor; controlling the operation of the first SR motor by a digital control system; and controlling the operation of the heavy-duty materials handling apparatus and a materials handling system of the heavy-duty materials handling apparatus by the digital control system, wherein the step of driving a generator from the engine, producing a DC voltage and the step of driving a first wheel of the heavy-duty materials handling apparatus by the SR motor are performed concurrently.