US3970163A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automotive vehicle drive
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1974-10-15
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Granted: 1976-07-20
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Expires: 1994-10-15
Abstract
Abstract Poor torque characteristics especially at low and intermediate speeds of a single shaft gas turbine engine is compensated for by the motor torque of a motor-generator having its armature directly coupled with the turbine shaft of the engine. The turbine shaft is connected through a reduction gear to a hydraulic torque converter followed by a forward-reverse gearbox to drive vehicle wheels.
Inventors
- 👤 Keijiro Kinoshita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:33
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K6/00; B60K6/20; B60K6/22; B60K6/24; B60K3/00; B60K3/04; B60K6/42; B60K6/48; B60K6/485; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/62; Y10; Y10S; Y10S903/00; Y10S903/902; Y10S903/903; Y10S903/904; Y10S903/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
414 words
An automotive vehicle drive, comprising: a single shaft gas turbine engine having an output turbine shaft; a hydraulic torque converter driven by the output turbine shaft and including a forward-reverse gearbox; a motor-generator having an armature connected to the turbine shaft to rotate therewith and an electric field surrounding the armature; a battery; an accelerator switch which is closed as long as an accelerator pedal is depressed; an engine speed switch which is closed when the engine speed is higher than a predetermined level; a brake switch which is closed when a brake pedal is depressed; a first relay switch having a first pair of normally open contacts and a second pair of normally closed contacts, the first pair of normally open contacts of said first relay switch being connected in series with said electric field and said battery, the second pair of normally closed contacts of said first relay switch being connected in series with said electric field and said battery and in parallel with the first pair of normally open contacts; a first solenoid coactive with said first relay switch and connected in series with the accelerator switch, said first solenoid when energized urging said first relay switch to close the first pair of normally open contacts thereof and to open the second pair of normally closed contacts thereof; a second relay switch having a first pair of normally closed contacts and a second pair of normally closed contacts, the first pair of normally closed contacts of said second relay switch and the second pair of normally closed contacts of said second relay switch being connected with the first pair of normally open contacts of said first relay switch and the second pair of normally closed contacts of said first relay switch, respectively; a second solenoid coactive with said second relay switch and connected in series with said engine speed switch, said second solenoid when energized urging said second relay switch to open the first pair of normally closed contacts thereof and the second pair of normally closed contacts thereof; a sixth switch having a pair of normally open contacts connected in parallel with the second pair of normally closed contacts of said second relay switch; a third solenoid connected in series with said brake switch, said third solenoid when energized urging said sixth switch to close the pair of normally open contacts thereof; and a variable resistor connected with the first pair of normally closed contacts of said second relay switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
414 words
An automotive vehicle drive, comprising: a single shaft gas turbine engine having an output turbine shaft; a hydraulic torque converter driven by the output turbine shaft and including a forward-reverse gearbox; a motor-generator having an armature connected to the turbine shaft to rotate therewith and an electric field surrounding the armature; a battery; an accelerator switch which is closed as long as an accelerator pedal is depressed; an engine speed switch which is closed when the engine speed is higher than a predetermined level; a brake switch which is closed when a brake pedal is depressed; a first relay switch having a first pair of normally open contacts and a second pair of normally closed contacts, the first pair of normally open contacts of said first relay switch being connected in series with said electric field and said battery, the second pair of normally closed contacts of said first relay switch being connected in series with said electric field and said battery and in parallel with the first pair of normally open contacts; a first solenoid coactive with said first relay switch and connected in series with the accelerator switch, said first solenoid when energized urging said first relay switch to close the first pair of normally open contacts thereof and to open the second pair of normally closed contacts thereof; a second relay switch having a first pair of normally closed contacts and a second pair of normally closed contacts, the first pair of normally closed contacts of said second relay switch and the second pair of normally closed contacts of said second relay switch being connected with the first pair of normally open contacts of said first relay switch and the second pair of normally closed contacts of said first relay switch, respectively; a second solenoid coactive with said second relay switch and connected in series with said engine speed switch, said second solenoid when energized urging said second relay switch to open the first pair of normally closed contacts thereof and the second pair of normally closed contacts thereof; a sixth switch having a pair of normally open contacts connected in parallel with the second pair of normally closed contacts of said second relay switch; a third solenoid connected in series with said brake switch, said third solenoid when energized urging said sixth switch to close the pair of normally open contacts thereof; and a variable resistor connected with the first pair of normally closed contacts of said second relay switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
217 words
In a motor vehicle of the type having an electrical energy source, a turbine engine for driving the vehicle, and a motor-generator coupled for rotation with said turbine engine and energizable by said electrical energy source to operate in a motor mode for driving the vehicle; an improved control circuit which comprises: a. mode control means actuatable for connecting said motor-generator to said electrical energy source to operate in the motor mode to drive the vehicle, and for connecting said motor-generator to operate in a generator mode and supply electrical energy to said electrical source while being rotated; b. engine speed responsive means for disconnecting said motor-generator from said electrical energy source when the turbine engine speed exceeds a certain value and when said motor-generator is operating in the motor mode, whereby the vehicle is driven entirely by said turbine engine when the turbine engine speed exceeds said certain value; and c. electrical braking control means responsive to the braking of the motor vehicle for connecting said motor-generator to said electrical energy source and to operate in the generator mode during braking of the motor vehicle and irrespective of the turbine engine speed, thereby to supply electrical energy to said electrical energy source and increase the drag on said turbine engine to enhance braking of the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
217 words
In a motor vehicle of the type having an electrical energy source, a turbine engine for driving the vehicle, and a motor-generator coupled for rotation with said turbine engine and energizable by said electrical energy source to operate in a motor mode for driving the vehicle; an improved control circuit which comprises: a. mode control means actuatable for connecting said motor-generator to said electrical energy source to operate in the motor mode to drive the vehicle, and for connecting said motor-generator to operate in a generator mode and supply electrical energy to said electrical source while being rotated; b. engine speed responsive means for disconnecting said motor-generator from said electrical energy source when the turbine engine speed exceeds a certain value and when said motor-generator is operating in the motor mode, whereby the vehicle is driven entirely by said turbine engine when the turbine engine speed exceeds said certain value; and c. electrical braking control means responsive to the braking of the motor vehicle for connecting said motor-generator to said electrical energy source and to operate in the generator mode during braking of the motor vehicle and irrespective of the turbine engine speed, thereby to supply electrical energy to said electrical energy source and increase the drag on said turbine engine to enhance braking of the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a motor vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising: an accelerator for controlling the turbine engine speed; and wherein said mode control means comprises a relay switch having a pair of normally open contacts and a pair of normally closed contacts, means for energizing said relay including a switch coactive with said accelerator to open said normally closed contact and to close said normally open contacts upon actuation of said accelerator, a first electrical circuit connecting said motor-generator to said electrical energy source through said normally closed contacts to supply electrical energy from said motor-generator operating in the generator mode to said electrical energy source, and a second electrical circuit connecting said motor-generator to said electrical energy source through said normally open contacts for energizing said motor-generator to operate in the motor mode and drive the vehicle when said accelerator is actuated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a motor vehicle according to claim 3, wherein said engine speed responsive means comprises: a second relay switch having two pair of normally closed contacts, wherein a first of these pair of normally closed contacts is connected in series in said first electrical circuit, and the second of these pair of normally closed contacts is connected in series in said second electrical circuit; and means for energizing said second relay switch when the turbine engine speed exceeds said certain value to open said two pair of normally closed contacts and disconnect said motor-generator from said electrical energy source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
In a motor vehicle according to claim 4, wherein said electrical braking control means comprises: a third relay switch having a pair of normally open contacts connected in parallel with said first pair of normally closed contacts of said second relay switch; and means for energizing said third relay switch upon braking of the vehicle to close said pair of normally open contacts of said third relay switch and complete said first electrical circuit irrespective of the opening or closure of said first pair of normally closed contacts of said second relay switch.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-07-20 | 1980-01-19 | 1980-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-07-20 | 1984-01-19 | 1984-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-07-20 | 1988-01-19 | 1988-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |