Patent US3383956A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US6054844A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6054844A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control method and apparatus for internal combustion engine electric hybrid vehicles
Assignee: University of California
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Filing: 1998-04-21
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Granted: 2000-04-25
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Expires: 2018-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for controlling the power output of an internal combustion engine in a vehicle, wherein a motor/generator or a generator/motor is coupled to the output shaft of the engine and the positive and negative torque of the motor/generator or the generator/motor is varied to control the power output of the engine as a function of speed for all manners of performance of the vehicle. The engine operates along a predetermined ideal operating line at all speeds of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew A. Frank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:48
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K6/00; B60K6/20; B60K6/42; B60K6/46; B60W; B60W20/00; B60W20/30; B60K6/48; B60K6/50; B60K6/52; B60K6/54; B60K6/543; B60L; B60L50/00; B60L50/10; B60L50/15; B60W10/00; B60W10/04; B60W10/06; B60W10/08; B60W10/10; B60W30/00; B60W30/18; B60W30/188; B60W30/1882; F; F02; F02N; F02N11/00; F02N11/04; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/66; F16H61/662; F16H61/66254; B60L2260/00; B60L2260/20; B60L2260/26; B60W2710/00; B60W2710/06; B60W2710/0677; F02D; F02D2250/00; F02D2250/18; F02D2250/24; 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; Y10S903/917; Y10S903/918; Y10S903/945
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for controlling the power at the output of an internal combustion engine, comprising: (a) an electric motor coupled to the output of said engine; and (b) control means for maintaining the power output of said engine substantially along an ideal operating line for said engine as the speed of the engine varies, wherein said ideal operating line specifies engine power output as a function of engine speed, wherein said engine power output is maintained substantially along said ideal power output line by varying the torque output of said electric motor and thereby varying the power output of said engine.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for controlling the power at the output of an internal combustion engine, comprising: (a) an electric motor coupled to the output of said engine; and (b) control means for maintaining the power output of said engine substantially along an ideal operating line for said engine as the speed of the engine varies, wherein said ideal operating line specifies engine power output as a function of engine speed, wherein said engine power output is maintained substantially along said ideal power output line by varying the torque output of said electric motor and thereby varying the power output of said engine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said motor comprises a motor/generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said motor control means varies positive and negative output torque of said electric motor to vary engine power output.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a transmission driven by said engine, said transmission having a variable speed ratio wherein the rate of change of the speed ratio is controlled by said control means to further vary the power output of said engine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said motor is coupled to a transmission.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising means for controlling the rate of change of ratio in said transmission.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said transmission is a continuously variable transmission.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said transmission is an automatic transmission.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for controlling the power at the output of an internal combustion engine coupled to a transmission, comprising: (a) an electric motor positioned between said engine and said transmission; and (b) control means for maintaining the power output of said engine substantially along an ideal operating line for said engine as the speed of the engine varies, wherein said ideal operating line specifies engine power output as a function of engine speed, wherein said engine power output is maintained substantially along said ideal power output line by varying the torque output of said electric motor and varying the rate of change of the ratio of said transmission and thereby varying the power output of said engine.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for controlling the power at the output of an internal combustion engine coupled to a transmission, comprising: (a) an electric motor positioned between said engine and said transmission; and (b) control means for maintaining the power output of said engine substantially along an ideal operating line for said engine as the speed of the engine varies, wherein said ideal operating line specifies engine power output as a function of engine speed, wherein said engine power output is maintained substantially along said ideal power output line by varying the torque output of said electric motor and varying the rate of change of the ratio of said transmission and thereby varying the power output of said engine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising means for controlling the rate of change of ratio in said transmission.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said transmission is a continuously variable transmission.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said transmission is an automatic transmission.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for controlling the power at the output of an internal combustion engine, comprising: (a) a generator coupled to the output of said engine; and (b) control means for maintaining the power output of said engine substantially along an ideal operating line for said engine as the speed of the engine varies, wherein said ideal operating line specifies engine power output as a function of engine speed, wherein said engine power output is maintained substantially along said ideal power output line by varying the torque output of said generator and thereby varying the power output of said engine.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for controlling the power at the output of an internal combustion engine, comprising: (a) a generator coupled to the output of said engine; and (b) control means for maintaining the power output of said engine substantially along an ideal operating line for said engine as the speed of the engine varies, wherein said ideal operating line specifies engine power output as a function of engine speed, wherein said engine power output is maintained substantially along said ideal power output line by varying the torque output of said generator and thereby varying the power output of said engine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said generator comprises a generator/motor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said generator control means varies positive and negative output torque of said generator to vary engine power output.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 13, further comprising a transmission driven by said engine, said transmission having a variable speed ratio wherein the rate of change of the speed ratio is controlled by said control means to further vary the power output of said engine.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 13, further comprising: (a) an electric motor; and (b) motor control means for varying the torque of said motor; (c) wherein said generator, said generator control means, said motor and said motor control means function as an electric continuously variable transmission.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said motor comprises a motor/generator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 17, further comprising means for controlling the rate of change of ratio in said electric continuously variable transmission.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
172 words
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine driving a continuously variable transmission and a driveshaft coupled to said continuously variable transmission, comprising: (a) a generator/motor mechanically coupled to and driven by said engine; (b) a generator/motor controller electrically connected to said generator; (c) a motor/generator mechanically coupled to said drive shaft; (d) a battery electrically connected to said generator/motor controller and said motor/generator controller; (e) said generator/motor, said generator/motor controller, said motor/generator, said motor/generator controller, and said battery comprising said continuously variable transmission; and (f) control means for maintaining the power output of said engine substantially along an ideal operating line for said engine as the speed of the engine varies, wherein said ideal operating line specifies engine power output as a function of engine speed, wherein said engine power output is maintained substantially along said ideal power output line by varying the torque output of said generator/motor and varying the rate of change of the ratio of said continuously variable transmission and thereby varying the power output of said engine.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
172 words
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine driving a continuously variable transmission and a driveshaft coupled to said continuously variable transmission, comprising: (a) a generator/motor mechanically coupled to and driven by said engine; (b) a generator/motor controller electrically connected to said generator; (c) a motor/generator mechanically coupled to said drive shaft; (d) a battery electrically connected to said generator/motor controller and said motor/generator controller; (e) said generator/motor, said generator/motor controller, said motor/generator, said motor/generator controller, and said battery comprising said continuously variable transmission; and (f) control means for maintaining the power output of said engine substantially along an ideal operating line for said engine as the speed of the engine varies, wherein said ideal operating line specifies engine power output as a function of engine speed, wherein said engine power output is maintained substantially along said ideal power output line by varying the torque output of said generator/motor and varying the rate of change of the ratio of said continuously variable transmission and thereby varying the power output of said engine.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
154 words
A control apparatus for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine driving a transmission, said transmission having an output driving a first wheel at a first end of said vehicle wheel, comprising: (a) an electric motor driving a second wheel at a second end of said vehicle; (b) a motor controller electrically connected to said motor; (c) said motor coupled to said transmission through a road surface; and (d) control means for maintaining the power output of said engine substantially along an ideal operating line for said engine as the speed of the engine varies, wherein said ideal operating line specifies engine power output as a function of engine speed, wherein said engine power output is maintained substantially along said ideal power output line by varying the torque output of said electric motor and varying the rate of change of the ratio of said transmission and thereby varying the power output of said engine.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
154 words
A control apparatus for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine driving a transmission, said transmission having an output driving a first wheel at a first end of said vehicle wheel, comprising: (a) an electric motor driving a second wheel at a second end of said vehicle; (b) a motor controller electrically connected to said motor; (c) said motor coupled to said transmission through a road surface; and (d) control means for maintaining the power output of said engine substantially along an ideal operating line for said engine as the speed of the engine varies, wherein said ideal operating line specifies engine power output as a function of engine speed, wherein said engine power output is maintained substantially along said ideal power output line by varying the torque output of said electric motor and varying the rate of change of the ratio of said transmission and thereby varying the power output of said engine.
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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) | 2003-04-25 | 2003-10-25 | 2004-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-04-25 | 2007-10-25 | 2008-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-04-25 | 2011-10-25 | 2012-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |