US3994354A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Constant speed vehicle drive unit
Assignee: Haumaier Automotive Energy Saver Inc
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Filing: 1975-08-08
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Granted: 1976-11-30
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Expires: 1995-08-08
Abstract
Abstract A drive mechanism for powering the drive wheel of a vehicle utilizing a drive shaft powered at a substantially constant speed. A transaxle mechanism is utilized having a power input shaft coupled to the drive shaft. The transmission of power through the transaxle mechanism to the output shaft, and the speed of the vehicle, is controlled by the selective braking of a control shaft forming a part of the transaxle mechanism. The drive shaft is advantageously driven by an electric motor operated at substantially constant speed, energized by an electric generator which is in turn driven by an internal combustion engine operated at substantially constant speed.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Haumaier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K6/00; B60K6/20; B60K6/42; B60K6/46; B60K17/00; B60K17/34; B60K17/356; B60K1/00; B60K1/02; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A drive mechanism for powering the drive wheel of a vehicle comprising a drive shaft powered at a substantially constant speed to provide a driving force, and a transaxle mechanism having power input and output shafts and a control shaft, said transaxle mechanism shafts being coupled together and operating to provide varying rotation of said power output shaft upon rotation of said power input shaft dependent upon the amount by which said control shaft is restrained from rotation, said power input shaft being coupled to said drive shaft, said power output shaft being coupled to said vehicle drive wheel, and brake means coupled to said control shaft for selectively restraining said control shaft to cause said power output shaft to rotate upon rotation at substantially constant speed of said power input shaft at a rotational speed dependent upon the amount by which said control shaft is restrained from rotating.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A drive mechanism for powering the drive wheel of a vehicle comprising a drive shaft powered at a substantially constant speed to provide a driving force, and a transaxle mechanism having power input and output shafts and a control shaft, said transaxle mechanism shafts being coupled together and operating to provide varying rotation of said power output shaft upon rotation of said power input shaft dependent upon the amount by which said control shaft is restrained from rotation, said power input shaft being coupled to said drive shaft, said power output shaft being coupled to said vehicle drive wheel, and brake means coupled to said control shaft for selectively restraining said control shaft to cause said power output shaft to rotate upon rotation at substantially constant speed of said power input shaft at a rotational speed dependent upon the amount by which said control shaft is restrained from rotating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A drive mechanism according to claim 1, in which said drive shaft is powered at a substantially constant speed by an electric motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A drive mechanism according to claim 2, in which said electric motor is energized by an electric generator which is in turn driven by an internal combustion engine operated at substantially constant speed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A drive mechanism according to claim 3 for an automobile to be driven over conventional automobile speed ranges, in which said transaxle mechanism includes transmission means therein for varying the rotational speed relationship between said power input and output shafts for a given restraint of said control shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
An automobile drive mechanism according to claim 4, in which said automobile includes front and rear compartments, said internal combustion engine and said electric generator being located in one of said compartments, and said electric motor and said transaxle mechanism being located in the other of said compartments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A drive mechanism according to claim 1, in which said brake means comprises a brake disk connected to said control shaft, and a brake pad operable to bear against said brake disk.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A vehicle having a plurality of drive wheels each powered by an individual drive mechanism according to claim 1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A vehicle according to claim 7, in which said drive shaft of each drive mechanism is driven by an electric motor individual thereto, all of said electric motors being energized by an electric generator which is driven by an internal combustion engine operated at substantially constant speed.
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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) | 1979-11-30 | 1980-05-31 | 1980-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-30 | 1984-05-31 | 1984-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-30 | 1988-05-31 | 1988-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |