Control system for alternately battery-operated and engine-powered vehicle

Claim 2

In a vehicle having a power train for the propulsion thereof, an engine, electrochemical storage means for electrical energy, an electric motor connected to be energized by said storage means, and coupling means for establishing alternate driving connections to said power train from said electrochemical storage means via said motor and from said engine, the combination therewith of speed-responsive control means for maintaining said engine deactivated in a range of relatively low vehicular velocities with propulsion of said power train by said electRochemical storage means and for activating said engine in a range of relatively high vehicular velocities to drive said power train, and starting means operable on standstill of the vehicle to set said power train in motion substantially without drawing energy from said electrochemical storage means.

Claim 3

The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said engine is connected for joint actuation by said starting means and said control means at velocities lower than those of the first-mentioned range.

Claim 4

The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said starting means includes a source of stored mechanical force.

Claim 5

The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said control means is coupled with said starting means for disconnecting said electrochemical storage means from said power train upon incipient propulsion of the vehicle.

Claim 6

The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said starting means includes an ancillary electric battery of lower storage capacity and higher discharge rate than said electrochemical storage means.

Claim 7

The combination defined in claim 1, further comprising a generator of electrical energy coupled with said engine for recharging said electrochemical storage means upon said engine driving said power train.

Claim 8

The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said electrochemical storage means comprises a metal/gas battery.

Claim 9

The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said engine is of the internal-combustion type.

Claim 10

The combination defined in claim 6 wherein said electric motor is connected across the output of said generator in parallel with said electrochemical storage means, said generator and said motor intervening in the driving of said power train by said engine.

Claim 11

In a vehicle having a power train for the propulsion thereof, an engine, a generator of electrical energy, electrochemical storage means for said electrical energy, an electric motor connected to be energized by said storage means, and coupling means for establishing alternate driving connections to said power train from said electrochemical storage means via said motor and from said engine, said engine being also coupled with said generator for recharging said electrochemical storage means while driving said power train, the combination therewith of energy-storing means independent of said electrochemical storage means, loading means for said energy-storing means coupled with said engine for actuation thereby in an operative condition thereof, and switchover means operable to couple said energy-storing means with said power train for assisting in the propulsion of the vehicle by said electrochemical storage means in an inoperative condition of said engine.

Claim 12

In a vehicle having a power train for the propulsion thereof, an engine, a generator of electrical energy, electrochemical storage means for said electrical energy, an electric motor connected to be energized by said storage means, and coupling means for establishing alternate driving connections to said power train from said electrochemical storage means via said motor and from said engine, said engine being also coupled with said generator for recharging said electrochemical storage means while driving said power train, the combination therewith of energy-storing means independent of said electrochemical storage means, loading means for said energy-storing means coupled with said engine for actuation thereby in an operative condition thereof, and switchover means operable to couple said energy-storing means with said power train for assisting in the propulsion of the vehicle by said electrochemical storage means in an inoperative condition of said engine.

Claim 13

The combination defined in claim 10 wherein said coupling means is provided with speed-responsive control means for activating said engine to drive said power train upon attainment of a predetermined vehicular velocity.

Claim 14

The combination defined in claim 11 wherein said switchover means is connected to said control means for deactivation thereby upon attainment of said predetermined velocity.

Claim 15

The combination defined in claim 10 wherein said energy-storing means comprises a gas-pressure accumulator.

Claim 16

The combination defined in claim 10 wherein said energy-storing means comprises an ancillary source of electrochemical energy.

Claim 17

The combination defined in claim 10 wherein said switchover means includes start means operable on standstill to set the vehicle in motion.

Claim 18

The combination defined in claim 10 wherein said electric motor is connected across the output of said generator in parallel with said electrochemical storage means, said generator and said motor intervening in the driving of said power train by said engine.