US4470476A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hybrid vehicles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-07-01
•
Granted: 1984-09-11
•
Expires: 2003-07-01
Abstract
Abstract Hybrid vehicles having two or more power plants which can be operated independently or simultaneously and includes an electric motor as well as an internal combustion engine which may be selectively connected to drive the drive wheels of such vehicles either independently or simultaneously. When the internal combustion engine is used to drive a vehicle, the waste heat from such engine is utilized as a source of energy to generate electricity which electricity may be stored in suitable storage batteries and thereafter such batteries may be used to drive an electric motor.
Inventors
- 👤 Hugh S. Hunt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:57
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K17/00; B60K17/34; B60K6/00; B60K6/20; B60K6/22; B60K6/26; B60K6/42; B60K6/48; B60L; B60L1/00; B60L1/003; B60L1/14; B60L50/00; B60L50/10; B60L50/16; B60L50/50; B60L50/60; B60L50/66; B60L8/00; B60L8/003; B60K17/356; B60L2240/00; B60L2240/10; B60L2240/12; B60L2240/36; B60L2240/40; B60L2240/46; B60L2240/461; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/62; Y02T10/70; Y02T10/7072; Y10; Y10S; Y10S903/00; Y10S903/902; Y10S903/903; Y10S903/904; Y10S903/915; Y10S903/916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
342 words
A hybrid vehicle comprising a frame supported by ground engaging wheels, propelling means including a transmission and drive shaft for driving certain of said wheels, an electric motor mounted on said frame, means for selectively connecting said electric motor to said propelling means, said means for connecting said electric motor to said propelling means for the vehicle including a transfer case having a power shaft connected to said transmission, an internal combustion engine mounted on said frame, means for selectively connecting said internal combustion engine to said power shaft to selectively drive said propelling means, said transfer case further including bypass means operably connecting said internal combustion engine to drive said electric motor to generate electricity while simultaneously disconnecting said internal combustion engine and said electric motor from said propelling means, said internal combustion engine having an exhaust manifold for removing heated exhaust gases therefrom, chamber means communicating with said exhaust manifold for receiving said exhaust gases therefrom, at least one means for converting radiant energy into electrical energy mounted within said chamber means for utilizing the energy of said heated exhaust gases within said chamber means to generate electrical current, means for electrically connecting said means for converting radiant energy into electrical energy to at least one storage battery for receiving and storing electrical energy, said chamber means including a housing having an exhaust gas inlet and outlet, at least one baffle disposed within said housing and between said inlet and outlet to create flow channels for diverting the exhaust gases flowing through said housing, and said means for converting radiant energy into electrical energy being mounted adjacent to one of said channels, said storage battery being electrically connected to said electric motor to drive said electric motor when said electric motor is connected to said propelling means, whereby either said internal combustion engine or said electric motor may be selectively operated to propel the vehicle and wherein the storage battery may be charged during operation of the internal combustion engine through the use of radiant energy from the exhaust gases.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
342 words
A hybrid vehicle comprising a frame supported by ground engaging wheels, propelling means including a transmission and drive shaft for driving certain of said wheels, an electric motor mounted on said frame, means for selectively connecting said electric motor to said propelling means, said means for connecting said electric motor to said propelling means for the vehicle including a transfer case having a power shaft connected to said transmission, an internal combustion engine mounted on said frame, means for selectively connecting said internal combustion engine to said power shaft to selectively drive said propelling means, said transfer case further including bypass means operably connecting said internal combustion engine to drive said electric motor to generate electricity while simultaneously disconnecting said internal combustion engine and said electric motor from said propelling means, said internal combustion engine having an exhaust manifold for removing heated exhaust gases therefrom, chamber means communicating with said exhaust manifold for receiving said exhaust gases therefrom, at least one means for converting radiant energy into electrical energy mounted within said chamber means for utilizing the energy of said heated exhaust gases within said chamber means to generate electrical current, means for electrically connecting said means for converting radiant energy into electrical energy to at least one storage battery for receiving and storing electrical energy, said chamber means including a housing having an exhaust gas inlet and outlet, at least one baffle disposed within said housing and between said inlet and outlet to create flow channels for diverting the exhaust gases flowing through said housing, and said means for converting radiant energy into electrical energy being mounted adjacent to one of said channels, said storage battery being electrically connected to said electric motor to drive said electric motor when said electric motor is connected to said propelling means, whereby either said internal combustion engine or said electric motor may be selectively operated to propel the vehicle and wherein the storage battery may be charged during operation of the internal combustion engine through the use of radiant energy from the exhaust gases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 1 in which said housing includes ambient air passages in heat exchange relationship with said means for converting radiant energy into electrical energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention of claim 2 including a plurality of generally parallel spaced baffles within said housing creating a plurality of flow channels arranged in a serpentine flow path for said exhaust gases, and a plurality of means for converting radiant energy into electrical energy mounted adjacent to and along opposite sides of said channels.
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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) | 1987-09-11 | 1988-03-12 | 1988-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-11 | 1992-03-12 | 1992-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-11 | 1996-03-12 | 1996-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |