US5785137A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hybrid electric vehicle catalyst control
Assignee: Nevcor Inc
•
Filing: 1996-05-03
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Granted: 1998-07-28
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Expires: 2016-05-03
Abstract
Abstract A hybrid electric drive system is provided having a heat engine, a catalytic converter, and an electric storage device having a state of charge. The drive system also includes a state of charge sensor and a device for heating the catalytic converter in response to the state of charge of the electric storage device being less than a predetermined state of charge.
Inventors
- 👤 John S. Reuyl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:41
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K6/00; B60K6/20; B60K6/42; B60K6/46; B60L; B60L50/00; B60L50/50; B60L50/60; B60L50/61; B60L50/62; B60W; B60W10/00; B60W10/04; B60W10/06; B60W10/08; B60W10/24; B60W10/26; B60W20/00; B60W20/10; B60W20/15; F; F01; F01N; F01N3/00; F01N3/08; F01N3/10; F01N3/18; F01N3/20; F01N3/2006; F01N3/2013; F01N3/22; F01N3/222; F01N3/24; F01N3/30; B60K6/22; B60K6/26; B60K2006/268; B60L2240/00; B60L2240/40; B60L2240/44; B60L2240/445; B60W2510/00; B60W2510/06; B60W2510/068; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A50/00; Y02A50/20; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12; Y02T10/40; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/62; Y02T10/70; Y02T10/7072
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A hybrid electric vehicle comprising in combination: A. an electrically powered motor connected to provide the sole driving torque for said vehicle; B. an electrical energy storage device connected to said motor to provide electrical energy for driving said vehicle; C. a generator for applying electrical energy to the electrical energy storage device. D. a sensor for determining when the electrical energy in said storage device is at a predetermined level and providing an output. E. a heat engine having one or more undesired constituents in its exhaust gas when said engine is operating to drive said generator; F. a catalytic converter including a catalyst heated by electrical energy for at least one of said constituents connected to receive exhaust gas from said engine; and G. a controller responsive to said sensor output for applying electrical energy to said converter to cause heating of said catalyst and thereafter operating said heat engine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A hybrid electric vehicle comprising in combination: A. an electrically powered motor connected to provide the sole driving torque for said vehicle; B. an electrical energy storage device connected to said motor to provide electrical energy for driving said vehicle; C. a generator for applying electrical energy to the electrical energy storage device. D. a sensor for determining when the electrical energy in said storage device is at a predetermined level and providing an output. E. a heat engine having one or more undesired constituents in its exhaust gas when said engine is operating to drive said generator; F. a catalytic converter including a catalyst heated by electrical energy for at least one of said constituents connected to receive exhaust gas from said engine; and G. a controller responsive to said sensor output for applying electrical energy to said converter to cause heating of said catalyst and thereafter operating said heat engine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1 wherein said generator also acts as a starter motor for said engine and converts electrical energy into mechanical energy required by said heat engine to initiate operation of the same.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1 wherein there are a pair of said catalytic converters and said controller is adapted to cause heating by electrical energy of a catalyst in one of said pair.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1 wherein the exhaust gas is relied upon to maintain a selected catalyst light-off temperature of said catalyst after said engine is energized.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1 wherein said generator is connected to the heat engine output shaft so as to convert all of the heat engine mechanical energy to electrical energy for said vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1 further including as part of said combination, means for directing air flow to said converter to enhance conversion by said catalyst of an undesired constituent in said exhaust gas and wherein there are a pair of said catalytic converters and said controller is adapted to cause heating by electrical energy of a catalyst in one of said pair.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1 further including as part of said combination, means for directing gas flow to said converter to enhance conversion by said catalyst of an undesired constituent in said exhaust gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 7 wherein said gas is air.
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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) | 2001-07-27 | 2002-01-26 | 2002-07-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-27 | 2006-01-26 | 2006-07-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-27 | 2010-01-26 | 2010-07-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |