Vehicles with increased engine efficiency

Claim 1

Apparatus associated with an automotive drive system of a vehicle having at least four wheels to utilize energy normally wasted therein, said system including a battery charged via a voltage regulator by a generator, an electric motor coupled to the battery and supplying power to at least some of the wheels via a transmission and differential, said system further including a hydraulic braking system wherein a separate hydraulic cylinder is disposed on each wheel and wherein a brake pedal applies hydraulic pressure via a hydraulic master cylinder to the cylinders at the various wheels, said system comprising: an air turbine connected to the generator; an accumulator; a normally closed solenoid operated valve connected between an output of the accumulator and an input of the air turbine, the valve when open passing air under pressure from the accumulator to the turbine, thus charging the battery; first means including at least one switch connected in circuit between the battery and valve to enable the valve to be opened when desired by an operator; second means responsive to specified vehicular motions to pass air under pressure into the accumulator, said second means including air pumps operated by wheel rotation to supply air to an input of the accumulator and a normally inoperative compressor which when operative supplies air to the accumulator input; a normally disengaged clutch disposed between the compressor and the transmission, said clutch when engaged coupling the transmission to the compressor to cause the compressor to become operative; and means responsive to the depression of said pedal to cause said clutch to be engaged.