Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
287 words
A vehicle comprising driven wheels, a direct-current source, an electric motor connected to said source and operating said wheels, a plurality of sequentially operable current-control devices for said motor energizable to establish respective states of operation of said motor, and a time-delay switching circuit interposed between said direct-current source and said motor, said circuit including a plurality of stages for the sequential control of said current-control devices each stage comprising: a thyristor having its main electrodes connected in circuit with a respective one of said current-control devices across said source; an R-C network having a series-connected resistor and capacitor connectable to said source for charging of said capacitor through said resistor from said source, each R-C network except that of the first stage being connected between the output side of the thyristor of its stage and the output side of the thyristor of the next stage; a voltage-divider network connected to said source, each voltage-divider network except for that of the first stage being connected between the output side of the thyristor of its stage and the output side of the thyristor of the next stage; and a unijunction transistor having its emitter connected to said RC network between the resistor and capacitor thereof, a first base connected to said voltage-divider network for establishing the threshold voltage of said unijunction transistor, and a second base connected to the gate of said thyristor said networks of said first stage each having one terminal connected to the output side of the thyristor of the respective stage and another terminal connected to the input side of the latter thyristor, said voltage-divider networks each consisting of two resistors between which the said first base of the respective unijunction transistor is connected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
287 words
A vehicle comprising driven wheels, a direct-current source, an electric motor connected to said source and operating said wheels, a plurality of sequentially operable current-control devices for said motor energizable to establish respective states of operation of said motor, and a time-delay switching circuit interposed between said direct-current source and said motor, said circuit including a plurality of stages for the sequential control of said current-control devices each stage comprising: a thyristor having its main electrodes connected in circuit with a respective one of said current-control devices across said source; an R-C network having a series-connected resistor and capacitor connectable to said source for charging of said capacitor through said resistor from said source, each R-C network except that of the first stage being connected between the output side of the thyristor of its stage and the output side of the thyristor of the next stage; a voltage-divider network connected to said source, each voltage-divider network except for that of the first stage being connected between the output side of the thyristor of its stage and the output side of the thyristor of the next stage; and a unijunction transistor having its emitter connected to said RC network between the resistor and capacitor thereof, a first base connected to said voltage-divider network for establishing the threshold voltage of said unijunction transistor, and a second base connected to the gate of said thyristor said networks of said first stage each having one terminal connected to the output side of the thyristor of the respective stage and another terminal connected to the input side of the latter thyristor, said voltage-divider networks each consisting of two resistors between which the said first base of the respective unijunction transistor is connected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The vehicle defined in claim 1 wherein said motor-control means comprises a plurality of speed-controlling resistors in circuit with said motor and said source, at least some of said current-control devices comprising respective relays having contacts connected to shunt respective speed-controlling resistors upon conduction of the respective thyristors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The vehicle defined in claim 2 wherein two electromotors connected to said wheels are provided, said motor-control means comprising switchover means connected between said source and said motors are selectively interconnecting them in series and in parallel, said switchover means including a relay forming one of said current-control devices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The vehicle defined in claim 3 wherein another of said current-control devices includes a relay having contacts connected between said source and the relay whose contacts are capable of shunting said speed-controlling resistors for rendering said resistors effective to control said motors upon switchover thereof from a series to a parallel connection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The vehicle defined in claim 4 wherein said current-control devices further includes safety switch means in circuit with one of said stages for actuating said switchover means to reconnect said motors from a parallel arrangement to a series arrangement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicle defined in claim 5 further comprising steering wheels, said safety switch means being operatively connected to said steering wheels and being effective upon excessive angular displacement thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle defined in claim 1 wherein said current-control devices further includes a diode connected across each of said capacitors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vehicle defined in claim 1 wherein each of said stages is in series with a mechanical switch and said source, said switches being arranged for sequential actuation upon depression of a vehicle pedal.