A battery-driven car which has an electrical system including a minimum number of electric storage batteries as the power source, a high-voltage converter with a high-voltage capacitor bank for driving a direct current impulse motor combined with a generator for supplying current to motor/generator sets respectively integrated with the wheels of the vehicle to drive the same or for recharging the batteries in accordance with a microprocessor control system, the wheel-actuated generators providing recharging current for the batteries whenever the motor component is not being energized and in addition, said electrical system also including an air-driven turbine generator component for recharging the batteries when the vehicle reaches a predetermined speed in accordance with the microprocessor controls.

A self-supporting drive module has a support component (1) in which at least one electric motor (2 or 3 or 6) is located. To facilitate the manufacturing process, the electric motor (2 or 3 or 6) is a prefabricated motor module having a separate motor housing (2a or 3a or 6a). The support component (1) can be a drive axle, with at least one drive wheel located on each end of the axle.

An apparatus and method is provided for rapidly treating the surface and subsurface of soil by irradiation with microwave energy to preclude germination of existing seeds and to kill weeds prior to sowing new seed and to kill insects. A microwave weed seed sterilizer is powered by a generator set to produce microwave energy to a predetermined depth in the soil. The preferred embodiment of the microwave weed seed sterilizer is portable and operatively attached to a self-propelled farm machine. The self-propelled farm machine moves along a field while the portable microwave weed seed sterilizer emits microwave energy into the soil.

A tracked vehicle (10) propelled by a pair of direct current electric motors (35) operating through a power train to a pair of endless tracks (11). Each power train operates a track drive sprocket (14) through a state of the art torque hub. Electric energy is applied to the motors from a battery pack (13) carried by the vehicle, acting in conjunction with a power control and distribution unit which directs the electrical energy from the batteries as needed. Braking of forward motion of the vehicle is accomplished in part by regenerative use of the motors, each as a generator feeding electricity back to the battery pack and consequently braking the vehicle's motion by the resistance of rotation of the armature rotor.

An all electric riding bunker rake primarily suited for maintaining sand traps, or bunkers on a golf course. It is embodied as a tricycle-style vehicle having a frame supported on three wheels, an electrically actuated rake lifting mechanism at the rear of the vehicle supported by the frame, and a removable rake attachment connected to the rake lifting mechanism. The rake is dragged on the sand behind the vehicle to smooth the sand in a bunker. An electric motor drives the rear wheels through a gear box, and a regenerative type braking system works in conjunction with the electric motor to slow the vehicle whenever it exceeds eleven miles per hour when driven, or two miles an hour when unattended. The frame supports an onboard electrical battery power source and a hood to which a seat is attached on which the operator sits to control the operation of the vehicle and the rake lifting and lowering function. The rear wheels have drum brakes actuated by a foot pedal which has a parking brake linkage integral with it. An electrically raised and lowered cultivator is also attached to the vehicle between the front and rear wheels to aid in breaking lumps of sand before the rake smoothes the sand.