초록 ▼

A stored electric power system selectively operates automotive accessories independent of the motive drive force generated by the vehicle heat engine so as to reduce fuel consumption, reduce the generation of pollutants and improve the vehicle performance. The electric power system is charged from s

A stored electric power system selectively operates automotive accessories independent of the motive drive force generated by the vehicle heat engine so as to reduce fuel consumption, reduce the generation of pollutants and improve the vehicle performance. The electric power system is charged from sources external to the engine drive.

대표청구항 ▼

In a land automotive vehicle utilizing a heat engine or a heat turbine or the like for supplying its entire forward drive force and having its own powered accessories including ones which use rotating power as well as other non-rotating electrically powered accessories, said accessories being specif

In a land automotive vehicle utilizing a heat engine or a heat turbine or the like for supplying its entire forward drive force and having its own powered accessories including ones which use rotating power as well as other non-rotating electrically powered accessories, said accessories being specifically of the type which if operated together by power supplied mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically by the engine or turbine and/or indirectly electrically by the engine or turbine through a generator, would require in total at least 5 horse power, assuming the vehicle is driven in accordance with the 1982 SAE 55 miles/hour Interstate Driving Cycle conditions, and assuming that all of the accessories are operating, at full load, the improvement comprising: substantially eliminating from said vehicle at least most of the rotary powered accessories which are driven by said engine or turbine directly or indirectly such that at most a minimal amount of engine or turbine power is required for driving any remaining accessories; and including in said vehicle all of said eliminated accessories as electrically powered accessories, at least some of which are rotary powered electrically and therefore include their own electric motor means, and means including externally chargable electrical battery means carried by said vehicle, or by a unit towed by it, normally maintained in a charged state by charging means supplied by stationary sources of electricity substantially independent of the mechanical load on said engine or turbine, said battery means being coupled with substantially all of said electrically powered accessories for operating the latter without using any mechanical power from said engine or turbine, either directly or through a generator driven by the engine or turbine, so long as the battery means is sufficiently charged, such that the engine or turbine uses at most a minimal amount of its power for accessories and thereby displays reduced fuel consumption, reduced generation of pollutants and improved vehicle performance, said vehicle being provided with means including a mechanically powered electrical generator for electrically powering said electrically powered accessories from mechanical power supplied by said engine or turbine in the event said battery means falls below a predetermined charge level, said means including said generator also including means for enabling said generator for providing electrical power to said accessories and for disabling the generator.