An electric motor for driving a wheel of a vehicle may be arranged to be supplied with electric power, through a chopper control system using controlled rectifiers, from an electric battery group connected in parallel with an electric generator driven by a driving machine such as a prime mover. The efficiency of the driving system can be increased and the temperature rise of the electric battery can be kept low by providing an inductor which permits discharging D.C. current to flow from the electric battery and prevents charging current of high frequency from flowing to the electric battery.
An electric continuously variable drive system includes an ac motor, an alternator for supplying electrical power to the ac motor via a rectifier and an inverter, a heat engine for driving the alternator, an energy storage device for providing electrical energy to the electric continuously variable drive system, and a combination cranking inverter and boost converter. The combination cranking inverter and boost converter is coupled in series between the alternator and the energy storage device and coupled substantially in parallel with the rectifier in a series hybrid drive.
An electric car is provided with a DC drive motor powered by a conventional storage battery and an AC drive motor powered by the combination of an AC generator driven by an auxiliary internal combustion engine. The car may be driven by the DC motor alone, for example during short range stop and go driving, or it may be driven by the AC motor alone, for example during relatively constant speed long range driving, or it may be driven by both motors in combination when increased power is required.
The electric power generated by an AC generator coupled to the output shaft of an engine is rectified into DC power that is then converted to AC power, which is supplied to drive a motor connected to a wheel. Dependent on the depth to which an accelerator pedal is depresed, the electric power supplied to the motor is controlled to control the speed of travel of a motor vehicle. When the motor is subjected to regenerative braking, the motor operates as a generator to produce electric power which is stored in a battery.
A hybrid drive system includes an internal combustion engine with an output shaft. An energy converter is connected to the output shaft via a coupling. The energy converter has first and second rotors which are rotatable at different speeds in relation to each other. At least one of the rotors is provided with one or more windings which are supplied with current from a current converter. The current converter is supplied with direct current from a direct current source. A transmission with variable gear ratio is coupled to one of the rotors. The transmission and the current converter cooperate via a control arrangement. The control arrangement comprises a control unit for controlling rotational speed and torque of the internal combustion engine and the energy converter.
A charging mechanism includes means for generating electrical current and means connected to the generating means for distributing the generated current. At least one battery bank formed from a plurality of batteries is connected in series. A means for charging the batteries is connected between the bank and the distribution means. A voltage controller controls a voltage level provided by at least one battery bank from at least one of exceeding and falling below a predetermined voltage level. Upon the controlling means detecting the voltage level is below the predetermined voltage level, the controlling means causes the generating means to generate the electric current to be provided to at least one battery bank by the distribution means and the charging means charges at least one battery bank.
