US3870116A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low pollution and fuel consumption flywheel drive system for motor vehicles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-08-15
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1993-08-15
Abstract
Abstract An automotive vehicle propulsion system of the type that employs an energy storing flywheel and which, when operating under continuously prevailing urban conditions, supplies motive power to the vehicle solely by kinetic energy derived from the flywheel when the latter has attained a predetermined minimum speed, thus allowing the vehicle engine to be disconnected from the flywheel and disabled by ignition cutoff. When the flywheel falls below such minimum speed, the engine is restarted, connected to the flywheel, and operates with low exhaust emission and fuel consumption at constant speed and high load for flywheel regeneration purposes. The system, when operating under rural conditions within a relatively high speed cruising range, bypasses the flywheel and attains a direct drive from the engine to the vehicle wheels but has associated therewith means whereby flywheel assist power may be imposed upon such direct drive for rapid vehicle accleration. A method which is inherent in the system consists in applying power continuously to the flywheel, discontinuing operation of the engine whenever flywheel speed reaches a predetermined maximum, and restarting the engine whenever flywheel speeds drop below a predetermined minimum, while withdrawing portions of stored flywheel energy from the flywheel and applying the same to the traction wheels while the flywheel is within the range defined by such maximum and minimum speed.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Seliber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:53
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K6/00; B60K6/08; B60K6/10; B60K6/105; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
In an automotive vehicle, a hybrid vehicle propulsion system comprising a traction driving wheel, an energy-producing engine, a rotatable energy-storing flywheel, a first power train including a first variable speed power transmission, said first power train extending between said engine and flywheel, a second power train including a second and continuously variable speed transmission, said second power train extending between said flywheel and traction wheel, a third power train extending between said engine and traction wheel, a first clutch interposed in said first power train and effective when engaged to connect the first transmission to the flywheel in driving relationship for flywheel acceleration purposes, a second clutch interposed in said second power train and effective when engaged to connect the second transmission to the traction wheel in driving relationship, and a third clutch interposed in said third power train and effective when engaged to connect said first transmission to said traction wheel in driving relationship.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
In an automotive vehicle, a hybrid vehicle propulsion system comprising a traction driving wheel, an energy-producing engine, a rotatable energy-storing flywheel, a first power train including a first variable speed power transmission, said first power train extending between said engine and flywheel, a second power train including a second and continuously variable speed transmission, said second power train extending between said flywheel and traction wheel, a third power train extending between said engine and traction wheel, a first clutch interposed in said first power train and effective when engaged to connect the first transmission to the flywheel in driving relationship for flywheel acceleration purposes, a second clutch interposed in said second power train and effective when engaged to connect the second transmission to the traction wheel in driving relationship, and a third clutch interposed in said third power train and effective when engaged to connect said first transmission to said traction wheel in driving relationship.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
155 words
In an automotive vehicle, a hybrid vehicle propulsion system comprising a traction driving wheel, an energy-producing engine, a rotatable energy-storing flywheel, a first power train including a first variable speed power transmission, said first power train extending between said engine and flywheel, a second power train including a second and continuously variable speed transmission, said second power train extending between said flywheel and traction wheel, a third power train extending between said engine and traction wheel, a first clutch interposed in said first power train and effective when engaged to connect the first transmission to the flywheel in driving relationship for flywheel acceleration purposes, a second clutch interposed in said second power train and effective when engaged to connect the second transmission to the traction wheel in driving relationship, and a third clutch interposed in said third power train and effective when engaged to connect said first transmission to said traction wheel in driving relationship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
155 words
In an automotive vehicle, a hybrid vehicle propulsion system comprising a traction driving wheel, an energy-producing engine, a rotatable energy-storing flywheel, a first power train including a first variable speed power transmission, said first power train extending between said engine and flywheel, a second power train including a second and continuously variable speed transmission, said second power train extending between said flywheel and traction wheel, a third power train extending between said engine and traction wheel, a first clutch interposed in said first power train and effective when engaged to connect the first transmission to the flywheel in driving relationship for flywheel acceleration purposes, a second clutch interposed in said second power train and effective when engaged to connect the second transmission to the traction wheel in driving relationship, and a third clutch interposed in said third power train and effective when engaged to connect said first transmission to said traction wheel in driving relationship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A vehicle propulsion system as set forth in claim 1 and including, additionally, gearing interposed in said first power train between said engine and first clutch and normally effective to establish an increased speed ratio drive between the engine and flywheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vehicle propulsion system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said gearing is of the planetary type and said first clutch provides reaction torque for said planetary gearing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A vehicle propulsion system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second transmission consists of planetary gearing, and means are provided for controlling the speed ratio of said latter transmission.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A vehicle propulsion system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said means for controlling the speed ratio of said transmission comprises a split pulley and belt mechanism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
137 words
In an automotive vehicle, a hybrid vehicle propulsion system comprising a traction driving wheel, an energy-producing engine, a rotatable energy-storing flywheel, a first power train including a first variable speed transmission, said first power train extending between said engine and flywheel, a second power train including a second and continuously variable speed transmission, said second power train extending between the flywheel and traction wheel, a third power train including said first transmission, said third power train extending between said engine and traction wheel, a first clutch interposed in said first power train and effective when engaged to connect the first transmission to the flywheel in driving relationship for flywheel acceleration purposes, and a second clutch interposed in said second power train and effective when engaged to connect Said second transmission to the traction wheel in driving relationship.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
137 words
In an automotive vehicle, a hybrid vehicle propulsion system comprising a traction driving wheel, an energy-producing engine, a rotatable energy-storing flywheel, a first power train including a first variable speed transmission, said first power train extending between said engine and flywheel, a second power train including a second and continuously variable speed transmission, said second power train extending between the flywheel and traction wheel, a third power train including said first transmission, said third power train extending between said engine and traction wheel, a first clutch interposed in said first power train and effective when engaged to connect the first transmission to the flywheel in driving relationship for flywheel acceleration purposes, and a second clutch interposed in said second power train and effective when engaged to connect Said second transmission to the traction wheel in driving relationship.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of propelling a vehicle of the type having an energy-producing engine, an energy-storing flywheel, and a traction wheel, said method comprising the steps of starting the engine and causing the same to operate substantially at the minimum brake specific fuel consumption point and to continuously supply power to said flywheel to drive the same and store energy therein and, while maintaining such supply of power to the flywheel regardless of flywheel speed, withdrawing portions of such stored energy from the flywheel and applying the same to the traction wheel for propulsion purposes.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of propelling a vehicle of the type having an energy-producing engine, an energy-storing flywheel, and a traction wheel, said method comprising the steps of starting the engine and causing the same to operate substantially at the minimum brake specific fuel consumption point and to continuously supply power to said flywheel to drive the same and store energy therein and, while maintaining such supply of power to the flywheel regardless of flywheel speed, withdrawing portions of such stored energy from the flywheel and applying the same to the traction wheel for propulsion purposes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |