Patent ID: 7956558

Claim:
An automatic traction control system for a vehicle driven by first and second serially connected electric motors that are powered by batteries, said system comprising: an operator interface for generating an operator input signal representing a desired acceleration for the vehicle as applied to an accelerator pedal of the vehicle; a main electronic power switch coupled between the second electric motor and a negative terminal of the batteries for selectively varying current flowing through the first and second serially connected electric motors in response to a main power switch control signal; a first electronic power switch coupled across an armature of the first electric motor for selectively diverting current from the armature of the first electric motor in response to a first power switch control signal; a second electronic power switch coupled across an armature of the second electric motor for selectively diverting current from the armature of the second electric motor in response to a second power switch control signal; a first voltage monitor terminal coupled between the armatures of the first and second electric motors; a second voltage monitor terminal coupled between the armature of the second electric motor and the main electronic power switch; and a microprocessor coupled to said operator interface for receiving the operator input signal, said microprocessor monitors the voltage across the armatures of the first and second electric motors, and generates the switch control signals as a function of the operator input signal, the voltage across the armature of the first electric motor, and the voltage across the armature of the second electric motor.