Patent ID: 7173344

Claim:
A series and parallel combined dual power system operating either as a series combined power system, or as a parallel combined power system; comprising: an engine; a primary dynamo-electric unit; a secondary dynamo-electric unit; and a first rechargeable device charged by the system; a rotary part of the engine being coupled to the primary dynamo-electric unit through at least one of a first clutch and a first variable transmission device comprising a first differential gear; a rotary part of the primary dynamo-electric unit being coupled to the secondary dynamo-electric unit through at least one of a second clutch and a second variable transmission device comprising a second differential gear; a rotary part of the secondary dynamo-electric unit being coupled to a load through at least one of a third clutch and a third variable transmission device; a drive control unit including circuits to control the primary dynamo-electric unit, the secondary dynamo-electric unit, and the rechargeable device; a central control unit comprising a device subject to control by a control interface and manipulating the drive control unit; the control interface comprising a device subject to manual input or input of a control signal to control the operation of the system; a redundant rechargeable device controlled by a start switch to drive a starter motor of the engine; wherein: the system operates as the series combined power system in case of a light load; the load is driven by the engine in case of a normal load; each of the primary and the secondary dynamo-electric units function as a motor on power from the rechargeable device to jointly drive the load with the power from the engine; and each function as a generator to provide power to the rechargeable device in case of a light load; and when the system is operating as the series combined power drive system, the second clutch is disengaged while the engine drives the primary dynamo-electric unit to operate as a generator and the power so generated drives the secondary dynamo-electric unit to operate as a motor for driving the load; and when the system is operating as the parallel combined power drive system the second clutch is closed up.