Patent · US Expired

Propulsion unit for vehicles

US4109743A · kind A · utility

24Cited by
8References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 9, 1977
Grant dateAug 29, 1978
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 9, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T10/7072
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A mixed propulsion system comprising a turbine unit having two output shafts which drive two counter rotating flywheels and, via a reduction gearbox, two generators which generate electricity to drive two electric drive motors the output shafts of which are connected to the wheels of the vehicle. A control system is provided, linked to the accelerator and brake pedal of the vehicle, for controlling the excitation of the field windings of the generators and the motors such that a predetermined excitation pattern is followed. The turbine unit is automatically controlled to run when the speed of the flywheels falls below a lower threshold value and is turned off when the flywheels reach a predetermined maximum threshold speed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.